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Dish Network will not carry Saturday’s UFC 186, adding to a list of ups and downs the pay-per-view event has encountered since its announcement. In a statement, the UFC said, “While all other providers in the U.S. have come to an agreement on renewal terms, DISH Network has elected not to renew its distribution agreement.”
“We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached with DISH in the near future, but remain committed to ensuring that all fans have continued access to UFC events through multiple distribution options,” the statement continued.
The industry leader signed a multi-year deal with Dish that ended on Jan. 31, though an extension was inked for March’s UFC 185, according to a person familiar with the UFC’s agreement. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
In a prepared response, a Dish PR rep told MMAjunkie, “Unfortunately, Dish and UFC have been unable to come to an agreement to deliver UFC 186 to Dish customers via pay-per-view. Dish and UFC continue to discuss carrying future events.” The rep declined to elaborate on why the parties were not able to strike a deal.
Dish is carried in roughly 14 million homes. In its statement, the UFC posted a link to other carriers of Saturday’s pay-per-view, including DirecTV, Xfinity, Verizon Fios and AT&T/UVerse. Additionally, the event is available online via UFC.tv.
UFC 186, which takes place at Montreal’s Bell Centre, has been racked by injury withdrawals and booking hiccups. A bantamweight title rematch between champ T.J. Dillashaw and ex-champ Renan Barao was called off when Dillashaw fractured a rib, and a co-headliner featuring Canadian star Rory MacDonald and Hector Lombard was scratched when Lombard failed a drug test in connection with a January fight.
Recently, the promotion finally got some good news when replacement co-headliner Quinton “Rampage” Jackson won the first round of a court battle with Bellator. A judge lifted an injunction to fight at the event opposite Fabio Maldonado, clearing the way for a 215-pound catchweight bout.
The event is headlined by UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, who attempts his sixth title defense against Kyoji Horiguchi.
Dish Network Drops UFC 186, Doesn't Renew Distribution Agreement
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