The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has made a significant broadcasting switch in Canada, as the UFC Moves to Sportsnet from Bell Media’s TSN to Rogers Sportsnet at the end of 2023. This transition marks a strategic shift in the media landscape, highlighting the evolving dynamics of sports broadcasting rights. Bell Media’s French language channel, RDS, is also a loser, with rival TVA Sports taking over. Jean-Paul Chartrand Junior will be describing the UFC fights and accompanied by veteran former UFC combatant Patrick Côté for the analysis.
Table of Contents
During the November 9th episode of Ringside Report MMA, Dave Simon, alongside co-hosts AJ D’Alesio and Fred Garcia, delved into the implications of this change. With an insider’s perspective, having previously worked for Bell Media, Simon shed light on the deal’s intricacies.
UFC Moves to Sportsnet in 2024: A Strategic Shift in Canadian Sports Broadcasting 4
The transition is reminiscent of the UFC’s earlier broadcasting days on Sportsnet, where it was argued that the network exhibited a more dedicated approach to covering the sport. Notable was the mention of ‘Showdown Joe’ Ferraro, a figure remembered for his role in Sportsnet’s MMA coverage.
Dave critiqued TSN’s handling of UFC programming, suggesting that the network did not fully leverage the rights they held. There was a notable absence of dedicated UFC shows or significant depth in coverage, particularly in comparison to how other sports were treated on the channel. The contrast with Sportsnet’s handling of similar content was stark, with the latter putting in what appeared to be a more concerted effort.
UFC Moves to Sportsnet in 2024: A Strategic Shift in Canadian Sports Broadcasting 5
TSN used to have an MMA-themed podcast after Ringside Report MMA left their airwaves, but it ended in the Spring of 2023
During the discussion, the focus was on the media strategy of conglomerates. They talked about how UFC and WWE content distribution, both falling under the same corporate umbrella, have a good synergy. Rogers’ partnership with WWE was also highlighted as a possible factor that could have influenced the return of UFC to Sportsnet. This suggests that there might be a strategic move to consolidate viewership and content offerings.
Moreover, Dave shared a personal story about how Bell Media, which owns TSN, initially responded to acquiring the UFC rights. This revealed a lack of enthusiasm for increasing the coverage, creating a picture of missed opportunities. Fred Garcia also pointed out the lack of investment in creating a distinct broadcast experience for UFC fans on TSN.
UFC Moves to Sportsnet And UFC 297 in TO
The UFC is set to make a comeback on Sportsnet, which is expected to bring a renewed emphasis on MMA for Canadian fans. This move suggests that there will be a potential increase in the quality and extent of UFC coverage, aligning with Sportsnet’s reputation for a strong focus on combat sports. This change is great news for UFC enthusiasts and a strategic move by Rogers to enhance its sports broadcasting portfolio. For Dave, the fact that UFC moves to Sportsnet can’t happen quickly enough.
“I’m so excited we’re returning to Sportsnet and TVA Sports,” UFC CEO Dana White said. “When you think back to the GSP days, Sportsnet and TVA Sports helped build this business in Canada. We love Canadian fans, and we’re happy to be home.”
UFC Moves to Sportsnet in 2024: A Strategic Shift in Canadian Sports Broadcasting 6
UFC will kick off its 2024 schedule of Pay-Per-Views with UFC 297: STRICKLAND vs. DU PLESSIS at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, January 20.
This marks the first UFC event in Toronto since UFC 231: HOLLOWAY vs. ORTEGA on December 8, 2018. The city has hosted six blockbuster Pay-Per-View cards, featuring 10 world championship bouts.
The UFC’s recent switch in broadcasters in Canada is not just a simple change, but a strategic realignment that has implications for the quality of sports coverage, fan engagement, and media distribution in the country. Given Sportsnet’s history with the UFC as well as its current relationship with WWE, the future of combat sports broadcasting in Canada looks promising.
No UFC champion has ever done what Sean Strickland is doing right now. Ten days before UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn, the two-time middleweight champion — fresh off handing Khamzat Chimaev his first loss — says he’s blacklisted from the event and is publicly torching it, trading vicious social media barbs with main eventer Justin Gaethje along the way. Meanwhile, Saturday’s UFC Vegas 118 main event is a genuine crossroads: Belal Muhammad, 37 and on two straight decision losses, meets Gabriel Bonfim, a 28-year-old Brazilian finisher at 19-1, with the betting markets split almost exactly down the middle. Add the first look at “The Claw” on the White House lawn, Conor McGregor’s July return against Max Holloway, and the official January 2027 death date for UFC pay-per-view in Canada.
WWE Clash in Italy delivered a solid premium live event from Turin — but the matches that were supposed to be the showcase underdelivered, the match nobody circled stole the night, and the most important wrestling moment of the entire weekend didn’t even happen on WWE programming. Roman Reigns beat Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat and immediately forced his cousin back in line, with Solo Sikoa and the Tongas watching from ringside. Sol Ruca snatched the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill had the best match on the card. Cody vs Gunther and Brock vs Oba Femi left plenty on the table. We break down every match, hand out grades, and lay out exactly where WWE goes from here.
Three stories are colliding in MMA right now, and none of them are particularly flattering for the sport. Colby Covington is out of the UFC after going once-a-year for five years and losing four of his last six — then finding himself off the White House guest list despite being Trump’s loudest MMA supporter for a decade. Trump’s actual favorite fighter? Khabib. UFC Freedom 250 is June 14 on the White House lawn with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane, but the UFC is running its own judges with no government athletic commission in place, it’s going to be 80-plus degrees outside with insects swarming the lights, and 50,000 people are watching on outdoor screens nearby. And Dana White told Time magazine that people who talk about their mental health publicly are giving young men permission to be weak. It’s the most dangerous thing he’s said in years — and the most revealing.
Wrestling Uncensored Episode 782 arrives the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 — and the timing couldn’t be better. Dave Simon and Johnny North go through the full SNME card: Penta vs. Ethan Page for the IC title, The Vision vs. Street Profits for the World Tag titles, the Jade Cargill six-woman tag with a title match in Italy on the line, Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca, and whether Paige and Brie’s Women’s Tag run finally ends against Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Plus the complete AEW Double or Nothing 2026 preview — Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event, Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup, FTR vs. Edge and Christian in an I Quit career-ending tag match, and Takeshita vs. Okada. And Brock Lesnar is back after a month-long retirement, with a contract, no explanation, and four F5s on Oba Femi.
UFC Moves to Sportsnet in 2024: A Strategic Shift in Canadian Sports Broadcasting
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has made a significant broadcasting switch in Canada, as the UFC Moves to Sportsnet from Bell Media’s TSN to Rogers Sportsnet at the end of 2023. This transition marks a strategic shift in the media landscape, highlighting the evolving dynamics of sports broadcasting rights. Bell Media’s French language channel, RDS, is also a loser, with rival TVA Sports taking over. Jean-Paul Chartrand Junior will be describing the UFC fights and accompanied by veteran former UFC combatant Patrick Côté for the analysis.
Table of Contents
During the November 9th episode of Ringside Report MMA, Dave Simon, alongside co-hosts AJ D’Alesio and Fred Garcia, delved into the implications of this change. With an insider’s perspective, having previously worked for Bell Media, Simon shed light on the deal’s intricacies.
The transition is reminiscent of the UFC’s earlier broadcasting days on Sportsnet, where it was argued that the network exhibited a more dedicated approach to covering the sport. Notable was the mention of ‘Showdown Joe’ Ferraro, a figure remembered for his role in Sportsnet’s MMA coverage.
Dave critiqued TSN’s handling of UFC programming, suggesting that the network did not fully leverage the rights they held. There was a notable absence of dedicated UFC shows or significant depth in coverage, particularly in comparison to how other sports were treated on the channel. The contrast with Sportsnet’s handling of similar content was stark, with the latter putting in what appeared to be a more concerted effort.
TSN used to have an MMA-themed podcast after Ringside Report MMA left their airwaves, but it ended in the Spring of 2023
Up to 40% Off Great Gifts
During the discussion, the focus was on the media strategy of conglomerates. They talked about how UFC and WWE content distribution, both falling under the same corporate umbrella, have a good synergy. Rogers’ partnership with WWE was also highlighted as a possible factor that could have influenced the return of UFC to Sportsnet. This suggests that there might be a strategic move to consolidate viewership and content offerings.
Moreover, Dave shared a personal story about how Bell Media, which owns TSN, initially responded to acquiring the UFC rights. This revealed a lack of enthusiasm for increasing the coverage, creating a picture of missed opportunities. Fred Garcia also pointed out the lack of investment in creating a distinct broadcast experience for UFC fans on TSN.
UFC Moves to Sportsnet And UFC 297 in TO
The UFC is set to make a comeback on Sportsnet, which is expected to bring a renewed emphasis on MMA for Canadian fans. This move suggests that there will be a potential increase in the quality and extent of UFC coverage, aligning with Sportsnet’s reputation for a strong focus on combat sports. This change is great news for UFC enthusiasts and a strategic move by Rogers to enhance its sports broadcasting portfolio. For Dave, the fact that UFC moves to Sportsnet can’t happen quickly enough.
“I’m so excited we’re returning to Sportsnet and TVA Sports,” UFC CEO Dana White said. “When you think back to the GSP days, Sportsnet and TVA Sports helped build this business in Canada. We love Canadian fans, and we’re happy to be home.”
UFC will kick off its 2024 schedule of Pay-Per-Views with UFC 297: STRICKLAND vs. DU PLESSIS at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, January 20.
This marks the first UFC event in Toronto since UFC 231: HOLLOWAY vs. ORTEGA on December 8, 2018. The city has hosted six blockbuster Pay-Per-View cards, featuring 10 world championship bouts.
The UFC’s recent switch in broadcasters in Canada is not just a simple change, but a strategic realignment that has implications for the quality of sports coverage, fan engagement, and media distribution in the country. Given Sportsnet’s history with the UFC as well as its current relationship with WWE, the future of combat sports broadcasting in Canada looks promising.
Written By:
Jon Simon from the Editorial Staff
read more at The Lunch Pro
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Belal Muhammad vs Gabriel Bonfim Preview + Sean Strickland’s White House War
No UFC champion has ever done what Sean Strickland is doing right now. Ten days before UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn, the two-time middleweight champion — fresh off handing Khamzat Chimaev his first loss — says he’s blacklisted from the event and is publicly torching it, trading vicious social media barbs with main eventer Justin Gaethje along the way. Meanwhile, Saturday’s UFC Vegas 118 main event is a genuine crossroads: Belal Muhammad, 37 and on two straight decision losses, meets Gabriel Bonfim, a 28-year-old Brazilian finisher at 19-1, with the betting markets split almost exactly down the middle. Add the first look at “The Claw” on the White House lawn, Conor McGregor’s July return against Max Holloway, and the official January 2027 death date for UFC pay-per-view in Canada.
WWE Clash in Italy Results: Roman Reigns Retains, Sol Ruca Shocks Becky Lynch
WWE Clash in Italy delivered a solid premium live event from Turin — but the matches that were supposed to be the showcase underdelivered, the match nobody circled stole the night, and the most important wrestling moment of the entire weekend didn’t even happen on WWE programming. Roman Reigns beat Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat and immediately forced his cousin back in line, with Solo Sikoa and the Tongas watching from ringside. Sol Ruca snatched the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill had the best match on the card. Cody vs Gunther and Brock vs Oba Femi left plenty on the table. We break down every match, hand out grades, and lay out exactly where WWE goes from here.
Colby’s Gone, Dana’s Wrong, and UFC Freedom 250 Has Real Problems
Three stories are colliding in MMA right now, and none of them are particularly flattering for the sport. Colby Covington is out of the UFC after going once-a-year for five years and losing four of his last six — then finding himself off the White House guest list despite being Trump’s loudest MMA supporter for a decade. Trump’s actual favorite fighter? Khabib. UFC Freedom 250 is June 14 on the White House lawn with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane, but the UFC is running its own judges with no government athletic commission in place, it’s going to be 80-plus degrees outside with insects swarming the lights, and 50,000 people are watching on outdoor screens nearby. And Dana White told Time magazine that people who talk about their mental health publicly are giving young men permission to be weak. It’s the most dangerous thing he’s said in years — and the most revealing.
Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 Preview + AEW Double or Nothing Picks
Wrestling Uncensored Episode 782 arrives the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 — and the timing couldn’t be better. Dave Simon and Johnny North go through the full SNME card: Penta vs. Ethan Page for the IC title, The Vision vs. Street Profits for the World Tag titles, the Jade Cargill six-woman tag with a title match in Italy on the line, Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca, and whether Paige and Brie’s Women’s Tag run finally ends against Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Plus the complete AEW Double or Nothing 2026 preview — Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event, Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup, FTR vs. Edge and Christian in an I Quit career-ending tag match, and Takeshita vs. Okada. And Brock Lesnar is back after a month-long retirement, with a contract, no explanation, and four F5s on Oba Femi.