The UFC is aiming to make the Paramount era the best yet, and Kate Abdo is the latest addition to the promotion’s broadcasting roster. She will make her debut at the upcoming UFC 324 event.
UFC 324 is the first numbered event of the Paramount era and will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. In the co-main event, former bantamweight king Sean O’Malley will take on the dangerous Song Yadong.
Abdo’s addition to the UFC broadcasting team has impressed many, including veteran combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, who described the signing as an “unbelievable coup.”
Check out Ariel Helwani’s response to Kate Abdo’s addition to the UFC 324 team below:
Kate Abdo (now known as Kate Scott) is a sportscaster primarily known for her coverage of European soccer for CBS Sports in the United States. Originally hailing from Manchester, England, she is now the host of the network’s coverage of the UEFA Champions League.
She is often joined on the show by French soccer legend Thierry Henry and Micah Richards; the trio has developed a hilarious on-air rapport. In 2023, she signed a four-year contract extension with the network to continue her duties in the Champions League coverage.
Abdo did part of her education in Spain, earning a degree from the University of Malaga in 2003. Subsequently, she continued her education at Salford in the U.K. The 44-year-old started her broadcasting career as a production assistant for Goal!, covering the Bundesliga.
During her illustrious career, she has taken on several high-profile roles, including presenting the Europa League group stage draw thrice and hosting the 2014 and 2015 Ballon d’Or award ceremonies. One of her recent gigs saw her presenting the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony.
Abdo is also experienced in combat sports broadcasting. She has hosted boxing programmes for Fox and Sky Sports, and also contributed to DAZN’s UFC coverage. She is married to professional boxer Malik Scott.
The U.K. native is also effortlessly multilingual, fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish. According to a report by SN, she once translated all the above-listed languages to English in a single Champions League post-match show.
Other additions to the UFC 324 broadcast team include the promotion’s commentary A-Team – Joe Rogan, Jon Anik, and Daniel Cormier. The analyst’s desk will be occupied by Michael Bisping, Dominick Cruz, and Chris Weidman, with Abdo joining UFC’s official broadcast for the first time.
Megan Olivi will reprise her role as a roving reporter, delivering post-fight interviews with the fighters. Coach Din Thomas will provide fight breakdowns between rounds, while the legendary Bruce Buffer will once again serve as the cage announcer.
