Imagine being handed the keys to the UFC in 2025—what would you change? For Campbell McLaren, the co-creator of the UFC, the answer might surprise you. As the organization gears up for a monumental 2026, with Dana White reintroducing the seasonal press conference format to kick off a $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+, McLaren has his own vision for the future. But here’s where it gets controversial: McLaren believes the UFC’s shift away from pay-per-view (PPV) to Paramount+ could alter its winning strategy—a strategy that’s made it a powerhouse in combat sports.
In a recent exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, McLaren, who witnessed the UFC’s first-ever PPV event in 1993, revealed his bold take. If he were in charge today, he’d make one seismic change: “I would change their ownership to my ownership,” he declared. “The UFC is pretty perfect as it is, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a different approach.” And this is the part most people miss: McLaren isn’t just talking hypotheticals—he’s already proving his point with Combate Global, his own promotion targeting an underserved Hispanic audience.
While Combate Global’s roster may not match the UFC’s elite skill level, McLaren argues it excels in other areas. For instance, he’s taken steps to minimize stalling in fights—a common fan complaint in MMA—by prioritizing striking specialists and working closely with commissions to enforce action-oriented rules. “We want to see action,” McLaren emphasized. “After all, it is a fight.”
But is McLaren onto something the UFC should adopt? Should Dana White follow his lead in preventing stalling and prioritizing fan-friendly matchups? Or is the UFC’s current model already as good as it gets? Let’s spark some debate: Do you think McLaren’s ownership vision could revolutionize the UFC, or is he overstepping? And more importantly, if you were Dana White for a day, what’s the one change you’d make? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we want to hear from you!
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