FOX is reported to be currently more interested in signing a new television deal with WWE than the UFC, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that contract talks between FOX and UFC have not gone well overall. Both sides originally hoped a deal would have been made late last year but the two sides are still not close. Meltzer stated that the new target date for a possible deal is likely this summer, assuming FOX is still interested in keeping UFC programming.
Meltzer also reported that there have been some rumblings recently of FOX considering dropping their talks with UFC and being more interested in making a deal with WWE instead. FOX’s recent offer to UFC was in the range of $200 million while UFC has been hoping for more in the range of $400 million.
Meltzer stated that a big reason why FOX is currently more interested in WWE is due to them being more confident that WWE would accept their $200 million offer and their belief that WWE programming would generate higher ratings.