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UFC is increasing its media presence in the Asian market after reaching a five-year deal with Chinese streaming service PPTV Sports. The deal, which will be formally announced on Monday, gives PPTV the rights to stream all of UFC's events live and on-demand. The streaming service, which is backed by Chinese e-commerce company Suning, has also launched a dedicated UFC section on its main web portal. In addition, PPTV will air UFC's original programming such as "The Ultimate Fighter" and "Road to the Octagon." The U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization did not disclose any financial terms of the rights deal. Off the screen, the partnership between UFC and PPTV will include the joint staging of fan events, promotional activations and fighter visits. The new deal follows a slew of rights agreements that UFC signed across Asia in the recent year. UFC already has several media rights partners in China, including Sina Sports and Qinghai TV. UFC Exec VP & GM of Asia Kenneth Berger: "China has always been a huge priority for UFC and our aim has always been to steadily increase our reach and cultivate more fans in China." Recent reports suggested the MMA organization has engaged in sales talks with interested parties, including Chinese businesses. UFC President Dana White later denied those reports, but said the organization is always looking at deals to expand globally. Chinese companies have been highly active in recent years acquiring int'l sports properties, including European football clubs and agencies.
