UFC could land an NBA-like deal, Ronda Rousey announces pregnancy, Oleksandr Usyk denies using inhaler: MMA News Roundup

Dana White spills some beans on the UFC's 2025 broadcast deal. Elsewhere, Ronda Rousey announced pregnancy at the launch of her new graphic novel.

Sportskeeda MMA is back with the best and biggest updates from the world of combat sports.

---

UFC could potentially land a deal like NBA, says Dana White

The UFC's deal with ESPN is up in 2025. If Dana White's words are to be believed, it could be something similar to the one NBA recently signed with multiple broadcasting partners.

On Wednesday, the premier basketball league signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video after rejecting Warner Bros. Discovery's $1.8 billion per year offer to continue their previous long-term relationship. The new deal is worth around $77 billion over 11 years.

Speaking about the UFC's deal, White told CNBC on Thursday that the new contract will be a "big deal" and could be like the NBA's:

"Our rights deal is going to be a big deal coming up here. Who knows? We could end up like the NBA and the NFL where we end up on multiple channels instead of just one. … It’s all moving and changing so quickly."

He added:

"We have a lot of different levels of fights, whether it’s Contender Series, (UFC) Fight Nights or pay-per-views. They could end up on multiple platforms."

The UFC CEO further said that while negotiations have not yet begun, a few players are having a go at it.

---

Ronda Rousey is expecting baby No. 2

Appearing at the San Diego Comic-Con panel on Thursday, Ronda Rousey showed off her baby bump, announcing her pregnancy for the second time. She and her husband Travis Browne have a daughter, La'akea Makalapuaokalanipo Browne, who will turn three in Sep. 2024.

The former UFC champion said during the panel discussion:

"Did anyone notice that I'm very pregnant right now? Yeah, I'm just as pregnant as 'Mom' is in the majority of the comic."

The "comic" she referred to in her comment is her new graphic novel, "Expecting the Unexpected". The Kickstarter campaign for the same was launched at the event, moderated by fellow former WWE star and Hollywood actor Dave Bautista. Rousey worked with former Editor-In-Chief of Marvel, Axel Alonso, and Eisner Award-winning artist, Mike Deodato Jr.

---

Oleksandr Usyk denies cheating allegations

Oleksandr Usyk addressed the allegations against him of cheating in between rounds during the Tyson Fury fight. The two clashed on May 18 in Saudi Arabia in one of the decade's biggest boxing events. The headliner sought to determine the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999-2000.

Usyk emerged victorious in the contest via split decision. However, some fans accused him of using an inhaler while seated in his corner. The Ukrainian recently cleared the air on the conspiracy theory in an interview with Boxing King Media.

"Stupid people. Listen, I never used any [banned] substance. Never. I'm clean. The cross - it's is my doping. My belief is my doping. My family, my team, my country - this is my doping." [H/t talkSPORT]

Using an inhaler or any other object except water and Vaseline is illegal in a boxing match. A close look at the moment makes it evident that Usyk was, in fact, kissing his crucifix.

In the interview, Usyk also hit back at Fury for claiming the fight was "too easy" and that the Brith lost because he took it too lightly.