UFC 313 experienced significant technical issues with ESPN+’s streaming service, which caused widespread frustration among fans and reportedly angered UFC leadership. The problems were particularly disruptive at the start of the main card.
ESPN acknowledged a “technical issue” that affected PPV purchases and later offered a free event replay for ESPN+ subscribers. UFC CEO Dana White also addressed the situation, noting that there were “a lot of pissed-off people.”
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub weighed in on the controversy during the latest episode of The Schaub Show, suggesting that the disruption may have been intentional.
“Big Brown” pointed to ongoing negotiations between ESPN and the MMA leader over media rights as a possible motive, arguing that ESPN could use the issue as leverage in talks.
“The whole ESPN+ PPV not working — they’re in negotiations right now. If you think that wasn’t on purpose, you’re out of your mind,” Schaub said. “That is ESPN, who doesn’t give a flying f*ck about UFC really — they’re in turmoil. But if you don’t think that’s a flex by them — I’ve never had issues.
“All of a sudden, issues just pop up during negotiation rights? That is somebody going, ‘Oh really, you want to play hardball? This is what your numbers will look like without us.’ That’s what I think with a tinfoil hat on,” Schaub continued. “I’ve never had issues, and all of a sudden, half the f*cking world has issues? That’s weird.
