DAZN agrees deals with Matchroom Boxing and UFC

DAZN has agreed a pair of major combat sports rights deals. 

The more high profile of the two deals is a record-breaking agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Terms of the deal, which goes into effect on July 1, have not been disclosed, but The Athletic reports that the agreement is “worth well into nine figures guaranteed.”

The five-year contract will see Matchroom end its almost decade-long exclusivity deal with Sky Sports in the UK, though Sky will still broadcast two remaining shows before July.

The announced deal however does not include Matchroom’s two biggest stars Anthony Joshua or Dillian Whyte. Fights involving either of the two boxers will be separately negotiated in a la carte deals. 

The deal should not come as a surprise given Hearn’s prominent relationship with DAZN. Matchroom first partnered with the streamer in the US in 2018 and from that point it was heavily reported that a UK deal would come as well. 

DAZN has also announced a partnership with the UFC in Japan. 

The digital partnership will give DAZN subscribers in the country access to all UFC live events and the promotion’s original programming. 

Of this contract, Takashi Nakamura, President and Managing Director of DAZN Japan said: “At DAZN we’re dedicated to giving Japanese sports fans even more access to leading domestic and international sports, which is why we’re delighted to partner with UFC. Our partnership means UFC fans will be able to access the sport they love across the devices they own, all for one affordable monthly price.”