UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and The Walt Disney Company’s new Direct-To-Consumer & International segment along with ESPN, have reached an immersive, multi-year media rights agreement for exclusive live UFC content on ESPN+, as well as across a variety of ESPN’s television, social and digital platforms, in English and Spanish, taking effect in January 2019.

This first-ever rights and distribution agreement between the two companies provides for 15 live UFC events to stream exclusively on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, in partnership with ESPN. Each event will be branded “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night” and will deliver a full card of 12 UFC bouts.

Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct to Consumer and International, The Walt Disney Company said, “One of our goals for ESPN+ is to bring sports fans of all genres content they love and are passionate about, and this agreement with UFC is illustrative of exactly that. We look forward to providing UFC’s enthusiastic, growing fan base with a wide array of live events and building a lasting relationship with the industry leader in mixed martial arts.”

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN President and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said: “UFC is a premier global sports property with legions of incredibly avid fans. We are excited to be able to bring their world-class events and content to ESPN+ and the ESPN networks. This agreement shows the commitment we have to delivering fans the very best across our entire platform.”

Dana White, President, UFC said: “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time and this one is no exception. We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want it. This deal is a home run for ESPN and UFC.”

UFC has the youngest fan base among major U.S. sports properties, with a median age of 39, and also comprises a much higher concentration of millennials than its peers, with 41% falling into the adult 18-34 demographic.

Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year). To subscribe, fans simply download or open the ESPN App (or visit ESPNPlus.com). In addition to live, exclusive events, the lineup of UFC content available to ESPN+ subscribers will include:

· Exclusive, all new-seasons of “Dana White’s Contender Series” beginning in June 2019

A new original, all access series produced by IMG Original Content
· Exclusive pre- and post-event shows for all 15 “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Nights”

· Non-exclusive access to UFC’s full archive of programming, including historic events, classic bouts, and original programming

· Additional UFC-branded content, including “UFC Countdown” shows, press conferences, weigh-ins and pre-and post-shows

In addition to the live events and content included in the ESPN+ subscription, fight fans will be able to purchase and watch UFC FIGHT PASS® (UFC’s DTC streaming offering) and UFC PPV events via ESPN+, for a separate cost.

ESPN will also bring fans a variety of UFC content across ESPN’s widely consumed linear and digital platforms, including an exclusive, 30-minute special on ESPN’s linear networks previewing upcoming bouts and breaking down match ups leading up to each UFC PPV; hundreds of hours of UFC library programming on linear networks; and re-airs of current UFC PPV events.

The ESPN App and ESPN+ are available on mobile and TV-connected devices and on ESPN.com. The new ESPN App with ESPN+ are available on devices and platforms including Amazon (Fire TV, Fire Stick, Fire Smart TVs, Fire tablets), Android (Android phones, Android TV), Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and supported in the Apple TV App), Chromecast and Roku.

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About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, in partnership with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of a completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

About Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International

Comprised of Disney’s international media businesses and the Company’s various streaming services, the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment aligns technology, content and distribution platforms to expand the Company’s global footprint and deliver world-class, personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world. The recently announced segment is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the ESPN+ sports streaming service, programmed in partnership with ESPN; the upcoming Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service; and the Company’s ownership stake in Hulu. As part of the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, BAMTECH Media, developer of the ESPN+ and Disney-branded streaming platforms, oversees all consumer-facing digital technology and products across the Company.

About UFC®
UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018, UFC boasts more than 284 million fans worldwide and has produced over 400 events in 21 countries since its inception in 1993. Acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment and fashion leader Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG), together with strategic partners Silver Lake Partners and KKR, UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas with a network of employees around the world. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe, while programming is broadcast in over 165 countries and territories to more than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content to fans around the world. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz won a split decision over Felice Herrig in a strawweight bout.

Kowalkiewicz won on two cards by 29-28 cards, while Herrig took a card 29-28.

Kowalkiewicz, 115 lbs of Lodz, POL is 12-2.  Herrig, 115.5 lbs of Crystal Lake, IL is 14-7.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier stopped Evan Dunham in the 1st round of their lightweight bout.

Mercier landed a body shot wih his knee that hurt Dunham, and six strikes later the bout was called at 53 seconds.

Mercier, 155 lbs of Montreal is now 12-2.  Dunham, 156 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-7-1.

Ashlee Evans-Smith defeated Bec Rawlings via unanimous decision ina flyweight bout.

In round two, Evans-Smith was bleeding from her forehead.

Evans-Smith, 126 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 6-3. Rawlings, 126 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is 7-8.

Devin Clark won a unanimous decision over Mike Rodriguez in a light heavyweight bout.

Clark, 205 lbs of Sioux Falls, SD won by scores by 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 9-2. Rodriguez, 203 lbs of South Easton, MA is 9-3.

Rumors abound the UFC could be pursuing Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to sign a boxing contract, according to reports from Gareth Davies of the Morning Telegraph.

Dana White is making a bid to sign Joshua to a multi-fight deal that could be worth upward of $500 million, according to a report Wednesday in the United Kingdom’s Daily Telegraph.

“Listen, I’m riding with Eddie (Hearn). I’ve been riding with Eddie. He got me from the get-go,” Joshua said. “I’m not into the UFC, so I don’t know what their plans are. … I’m interested because we can all work together. Remember, mine and Eddie’s relationship is a really good working relationship. And I’m sure Eddie has an interest in working with Dana White. If it’s good business, it makes sense.

“We’ll listen and 100 percent, if it makes sense we’re all ears, man. I’m happy that Dana is coming into the game. Hopefully, he can add some excitement and we can progress forward and make some good money and make some good fights.”

“If Dana White wants to speak to us, obviously Anthony is with us, we’re willing to talk to anybody,” Hearn said on Wednesday night’s media call. “We do great business with everyone — Bernd Boente, Duco Events. I work with Top Rank, Golden Boy, Al Haymon. We work with anyone if the business is right.”

Then Hearn drew a big laugh when he added, “In the meantime, I’ll sign [UFC top draw] Conor McGregor and it will all be fair.”

Jacare Souza stopped Derrick Brunson in the first round of the middleweight rematch at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Souza landed a booming head kick that sent Brunson sprawling down.  Souza landed three left hands and the fight was stopped by referee Dan Mergliota at 3:50.

Souza, 186 lbs of Rio di Janeiro, BRA is 25-5-1.  Brunson, 185 lbs of Wilmington, NC is 18-6.

Andre Fili won a split decision over Dennis Bermudez in a featherweight bout.

Fili, 146 lbs of Sacramento, CA won two cards 29-28, while Bermudez took a card 30-27.

Fili is now 18-5.  Bermudez, 145 lbs of Lindenhurst, NY is 16-8.

Gregor Gillespe stopped Jordan Rinaldi in the 1st round of their lightweight bout.

Gillespe mounted Rinaldi and got him on a back mount where he landed a barrage of punches, and the fight was stopped at 4:46.

Gillespe, 155 lbs of Long Island, NY is 11-0.  Rinaldi, 155 lbs of Charlotte, NC is 13-6.

In a bloody battle, Drew Dober won a unanimous decision over Frank Camacho in a welterweight bout.

Dober, 170 lbs of Denver, CO won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice to raise his mark to 19-8-1.  Camacho, 169 lbs of Sapan, Marien Islands is now 21-6.