Combats sports like boxing were once a mainstream of linear TV and pay per view. But fighting leagues, from upstart ones such as the Professional Fighters League to those more established such as the UFC, are increasingly turning to streaming to expand their reach.
After finishing up its first season, the Professional Fighters League turned heads in the industry two weeks ago when it announced a major multiplatform deal to make ESPN and ESPN+ the exclusive media homes of its second and third seasons. The league, which presents MMA through a format familiar to fans of the major U.