How To Watch UFC on Paramount+: Schedule, Cost, and More
The Octagon has a new home on Paramount+. We broke down the new plans to see if the switch is a TKO for fight fans or just another hit to your wallet.
Paramount+ offers the most aggressive value we’ve ever seen for streaming live combat sports. As of this year, the service has become the exclusive home of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), hosting every weekly Fight Night and original series like The Ultimate Fighter as part of its standard monthly subscription.
The biggest game-changer for MMA fans is the elimination of the “pay-per-view” paywall. Unlike the previous ESPN+ era—where marquee cards cost an additional $79.99 per event—this new deal includes every numbered event directly in your base plan. You no longer need to budget extra for championship fights; you just need a login.
Keep reading to learn which Paramount+ plan offers the best viewing experience and how this new all-inclusive setup compares to the sport’s dedicated streaming library, UFC Fight Pass.
Is Paramount+ worth it for UFC fans?
Paramount+ is absolutely worth it for anyone who wants the most current UFC content. Even if you already have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you’ll need Paramount+ in your corner because it’s now the exclusive home for every single UFC event, including the massive numbered events that define the sport.
In addition to live cards, Paramount+ holds an extensive library of past UFC fights and on-demand MMA series, covering the biggest bouts from the last two decades. You can also binge the history of The Ultimate Fighter or catch up on Dana White’s Contender Series all in one place.
The biggest selling point, however, is the math. In the previous era, being a hardcore fan meant paying a monthly subscription plus an additional $79.99 every time a big championship card rolled around. Under this new model, your monthly Paramount+ subscription covers the entire bill. You no longer need to find a bar or budget hundreds of dollars a year just to see the biggest fights—they’re all part of the package.
Pro tip: Miss the roar of the crowd? You can still use the UFC’s Find a Bar tool to track down a local venue showing the next big event.
Which Paramount+ plan packs the most punch?
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Paramount+ offers two simple subscription tiers: Paramount+ Essential ($7.99 a month) and Paramount+ Premium ($12.99 a month).
The good news for fight fans is that both plans include every live UFC event. Whether you choose the cheaper Essential plan or the premium tier, you get live access to every Fight Night and numbered event.
The main difference lies in the extras. The Paramount+ Premium plan removes ads from on-demand content (great for binge-watching The Ultimate Fighter) and unlocks the complete SHOWTIME library, giving you access to hit series like Dexter and Yellowjackets. It also includes a live 24/7 stream of your local CBS station, which is handy for watching college basketball or your local news.
Upcoming UFC on Paramount+ schedule
The UFC operates on a relentless 12-month calendar, with events scheduled nearly every Saturday. While start times shift for international stops (like London or Abu Dhabi), the standard U.S. cadence is predictable.
Fight Nights typically begin at 7:00 p.m. ET, while the massive numbered events (formerly PPV) take over the 10:00 p.m. ET slot once a month. Here’s a quick list of this month’s UFC events on Paramount+.
- UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira (Feb. 7)
- UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez (Feb. 21)
- UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Almabayev (Feb. 28)
- UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 (March 7)
- UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos (March 14)
- UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy (March 21)
- UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer (March 28)
UFC content on Paramount+
Paramount+ now hosts the same 40+ live UFC events per year that fans are used to, including every Fight Night and numbered event. The major difference in this new Paramount+ era is access.
Under the old deal, PPV cards were locked behind a paywall for 16 days after the event. Because your subscription includes numbered events, replays are available on demand immediately after the live broadcast. If you fall asleep before the main event, you can watch it over your morning coffee on Sunday without waiting two weeks.
In addition to live events, Paramount+ also has exclusive UFC-centric studio shows and documentary series. There’s obviously The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series, but you also get the UFC Embedded and UFC Countdown docuseries.
Of course, this isn’t a full list, but it does highlight some of the mega favorites. It’s also important to note that the UFC’s massive archive of historical fights and original programming is still migrating over to Paramount+.
Other ways to watch UFC
Beyond Paramount+, you can catch select UFC events on the CBS family of networks. CBS Sports Network frequently simulcasts preliminaries and re-airs classic fights, while the main CBS broadcast network will occasionally air high-profile fight cards throughout the year.
If you have a cable or satellite subscription, check your local listings to see if the next card is airing on linear TV. If you’ve cut the cord, you can pick up these channels on live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo.
Pro tip: Because CBS is a broadcast channel, you don’t actually need a subscription to watch the fights airing there. You can pick up the HD feed for free with a simple over-the-air antenna.
What about UFC Fight Pass?
With the move to Paramount+, the standalone UFC Fight Pass streaming service has become much less critical. Since Paramount+ now carries the early prelims and houses the core on-demand library, most fans can drop their Fight Pass subscription. You only need to keep it if you follow other live combat sports, such as submission grappling or regional MMA promotions (LFA, Cage Warriors).
If you’re on the fence, check the UFC Fight Pass schedule to see if the upcoming slate justifies having a subscription.
UFC on Paramount+ FAQ
Is there a UFC fight tonight?
Most UFC events happen on Saturdays. But you can check if there's a UFC fight tonight by visiting this guide's schedule section.
Can I watch UFC replays on demand?
Yes, Paramount+ offers on-demand replays of fight cards shortly after the event ends. The UFC Fight Pass library is also being integrated into the platform, providing access to thousands of historical fights from UFC, PRIDE, and Strikeforce.
How do I watch UFC in Spanish?
Paramount+ includes dedicated Spanish- and Portuguese-language broadcasts for every event. You can switch to your preferred audio track by selecting "Audio & Subtitles" in the video player, or by choosing the En Español or En Português event tiles in the app menu.
Who are the announcers for UFC on Paramount+?
The familiar voices of UFC haven't gone anywhere. Jon Anik remains the lead play-by-play man, joined by the standard rotation of Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping, and Paul Felder. And, of course, Bruce Buffer is still center stage to introduce the main events.
Do I need a Paramount+ subscription to buy pay-per-view events?
You don't need to "buy" them at all anymore. Under the new Paramount+ model, the traditional pay-per-view fee has been eliminated. But you do need an active Paramount+ subscription (either Essential or Premium) to watch these numbered events, as they're now included in the standard monthly plan.
