Chandler, a former Bellator champion now fighting in the UFC lightweight division, believes the UFC-Paramount deal is good news for fighter pay, and is confident the promotion will take care of its champions. He calls for patience as more details on the new UFC broadcasting deal emerge.

A proud American, Chandler targets the potential White House event in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2026.

When the UFC announced its massive $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount+, most fans had the same thought: Does this finally mean fighters are going to get paid more? After all, fighter pay has been one of the sport’s longest-running debates with athletes,