Dana White and the UFC are facing another lawsuit, with fans challenging pay-per-view prices during the promotion’s $1.5 billion broadcast agreement with ESPN.
The proposed class action focuses on pricing decisions made throughout the ESPN era, when pay-per-view costs increased over time.
At the centre of the case is whether consumers were required to pay inflated rates to access top-tier MMA events.
Fans allege inflated prices during ESPN pay-per-view era
A new complaint seeking class action status has been filed by plaintiffs Alana Costantino and Kyle Nicholson on behalf of themselves and others in a similar position.
The lawsuit names Zuffa LLC and TKO Group Holdings Inc. as defendants and centres on pay-per-view pricing under the ESPN distribution framework.
The complaint states that customers were required to pay above-market prices to watch pay-per-view-level UFC events. It argues that the structure of the broadcast arrangement contributed to higher costs for viewers.
“Defendants have forced Plaintiffs and Class Members to pay inflated prices in order to view pay-per-view-level offerings of mixed martial arts events…”
By December 2025, the standard UFC pay-per-view price had risen to $79.99 during the ESPN partnership. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation tied specifically to purchases made during that period.
ESPN not named despite prior comments on pricing control
Although the lawsuit names Zuffa and TKO, ESPN-Disney is not included as a defendant despite acting as the UFC’s broadcast partner during the period referenced in the complaint.
The omission is notable given the network’s involvement in pay-per-view distribution.
Dana White had previously indicated that ESPN controlled pay-per-view pricing decisions during the term of the agreement.
The UFC’s recent $7.7 billion move to Paramount has seen them abandon the pay-per-view model and is available direct-to-streaming for fans.
How the fuck does that make sense? I was under the impression that ESPN was the one in control of PPV pricing…
This is a lawyer wanting attention. 0% chance it sees a courtroom.
I love Chik-fil-A, but their prices are getting ridiculous. Can I sue them too???
So stupid.
Also, people really think Dana is still the one making decisions lol 
Correct
Serious question, where do people get off thinking they are entitled to a cheap ppv? I personally would not support a lawsuit if the UFC wanted to change a million dollars for a ppv. It’s their product, they should be able to charge whatever they want. The consumer should be able to choose what they buy or don’t.
you are 100% buddie AND it works both ways , fans dont have to support them
Exactly, let the market decide. It’s worth whatever people are willing to pay.
I’m going to sue grocery stores because beef jerky is too expensive!
Wasn’t a fan of needing to subscribe to a niche service just for the privilege of ordering ppv’s, especially since a good amount of the non ppv cards still aired on regular ESPN. In the past one needed to pay for cable/dish to order ppv but that was a completely different model. Still think any lawsuit about it is lame. As others mentioned no one had to pay a thing. It’s like how the fcc is now looking into how sports in general are spread out over multiple platforms which are subscription based. We don’t need to watch any of this shit.
Also as many on here know and have done, there are ways to watch without paying. If someone “has” to watch an event then figure it out.