Before the concept of UFC Fight Pass was introduced, AXS TV was the undisputed home for live MMA events outside the sport’s top three organizations of the UFC, Bellator and WSOF.

Many established but lesser-known promotions have partnered with AXS TV over the years and essentially every Friday night, the channel airs a live event from the likes of Legacy FC, RFA and CES MMA under the AXS TV Fights banner.

Since UFC Fight Pass launched in December 2013, though, the UFC’s subscription digital network has started to cut into AXS TV’s business of being a hub for all things combat sports. The platform has signed numerous partnerships to stream live events with MMA, kickboxing and grappling organizations from around the globe.

The terms of those partnerships are unknown to AXS TV Fights CEO Andrew Simon, who said he’s still gauging the viability of the UFC Fight Pass model compared to a channel such as AXS TV.

“The difference is how many people have UFC Fight Pass,” Simon told MMAjunkie Radio. “A lot of time people give us a hard time; we’re a small network. We’re in 45 million homes. Our distribution is pretty good. I don’t know what the UFC Fight Pass number is. I would guess it’s in the hundreds of thousands. At this point I’m sure everything is competition when you look at where the fights can be seen.

“I know the promotions that are on our network are profitable promotions. From the RFAs to the Legacy (FCs) are thriving. I don’t know about the promotions that are going there at this point, how they are making their financial model work on Fight Pass. It’s all economics of where’s the better deal and what’s the better place to be. Where do people get the most exposure?

“Did Invicta get more exposure before Fight Pass or after Fight Pass with their fights? I’m not sure. It’s just a matter of you have to put together the best distribution platform for your fights. How can they be seen?”

Since UFC Fight Pass launched more than two years ago, the UFC has invested significant resources into its growth. From frequent ads on FOX and FOX Sports 1 to streaming exclusive live events headlined by the likes of Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping, UFC Fight Pass has become a significant part of the UFC live-viewing experience.

Although the UFC invests greatly into its own events, Simon said he doesn’t think the same level of attention is paid to the other organizations that stream on the platform – especially not compared to how AXS TV treats its partners.

“The reality is we shoot our events,” Simon said. “I don’t think UFC shoots any events for Fight Pass. We incur the cost for the promotion whereas on Fight Pass I believe the promotions have to pay for their own production. Production is not cheap. It is quite pricey to do a world-class production.”

Simon said he’s in no way trying to be critical of UFC or the UFC Fight Pass operation. He believes the product has come a long way during its short existence, and if a situation arises i which the UFC and AXS TV can find common ground on certain projects, Simon said he’s more than open to it.

“At this point I think UFC Fight Pass is doing a good job,” Simon said. “I think WWE Network did a fantastic job at what they have done. Who knows? Maybe we all work together one day. You never know in life. I’m open to all partnerships.”

For more on the upcoming AXS TV Fights and UFC schedules, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM Ch. 93, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.