How To Watch Bellator MMA on SHOWTIME
Looking for the most Bellator MMA action? SHOWTIME is where it’s at, and we spent over 12 hours testing the service to help you determine if it’s a worthy addition to your TV plan.
SHOWTIME
Price: $10.99–$11.99/mo.
Free trial: 30 days
MMA content: live and on-demand fights, docuseries, and more
Is SHOWTIME worth it for MMA fans?
If you’re a Bellator MMA fan, you need SHOWTIME® access. There’s no way around it. Luckily, starting at $11.99 a month, SHOWTIME is a worthy addition to any TV setup—offering live combat sports, quality movies, and edgy TV series.
Around 18 Bellator events occur yearly, and SHOWTIME is the primary channel and streaming destination for each main card. It’s also where you’ll find many past Bellator fights for nostalgic viewing. And, unlike SHOWTIME Boxing, Bellator rarely runs pay-per-view (PPV) events—meaning you won’t often have to pay extra to watch specific fights.
Of course, if you prefer watching other MMA promotions like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), you might be better off looking into ESPN+ or UFC Fight Pass. Our UFC on ESPN+ page is an excellent resource for how to watch UFC Fight Night and UFC PPVs.
Bellator MMA on SHOWTIME pros and cons
Pros
- Approx. 18 MMA events per year
- Live access to SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME WEST channels
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- Occasional PPV events
- Small TV and movie library
SHOWTIME MMA content
SHOWTIME’s MMA content revolves around Bellator MMA, though it also offers many boxing events. Between Bellator and SHOWTIME Boxing, SHOWTIME subscribers get access to 40+ combat events per year. However, some of those boxing showdowns are PPV events that cost extra.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much beyond live and on-demand fights for Bellator fans. If you’re looking for the latest news or analysis programs, YouTube is all you need. Still, SHOWTIME is home to a decent lineup of sports series and documentaries. Some revolve around fighting, while others touch on basketball, football, and sports gambling.
Content availability can vary depending on how you access SHOWTIME. Watching the live SHOWTIME networks through a TV provider won’t give you the full on-demand capabilities available through the Paramount+ app. But you can still schedule DVR recordings or access the SHOWTIME Anytime app with your provider login to stream on-demand content. (More on that further down.)
SHOWTIME plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Video | Streams | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHOWTIME | $10.99–$11.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 3 |
View plan Read SHOWTIME review |
| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | $11.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 3 |
View plan Read Paramount+ review |
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
As we mentioned earlier, there are two ways to get SHOWTIME. You can either add it to your existing cable, satellite, or live TV streaming plan or subscribe to the standalone streaming service through Paramount+. Both cost around $11.99 a month, but that price can vary when signing up through a separate TV provider. Some providers offer SHOWTIME and other premium channels at a discounted rate when you sign up for their higher-tiered plans.
Getting SHOWTIME through Paramount+ is a great option if you don’t need a comprehensive TV plan. With SHOWTIME folded into Paramount+, you’ll have access to plenty of TV shows, movies, and live sports—including NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League broadcasts.
Other ways to watch Bellator MMA
There are several other ways to watch Bellator content in the US. You just can’t see many main card events live without SHOWTIME in your corner.
Pro tip: Bellator recently held an event that aired on CBS and Paramount+. When that happened, SHOWTIME subscribers got on-demand event access following the live broadcast.
Beyond SHOWTIME, you can catch live and on-demand Bellator events on Pluto TV and the official Bellator MMA YouTube channel. Both streaming destinations host live Bellator preliminary cards, and Pluto TV has channels dedicated to other combat sports promotions like Professional Fighters League (PFL), Impact Wrestling, and Glory Kickboxing.
If you’re outside the US, you should check in with Bellator’s international viewing guide. SHOWTIME is only available in the US, so you need a VPN or a different service to tune in if you’re not stateside. For example, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer are the only ways to watch Bellator fights live in the UK.
Final take
SHOWTIME is the primary home of Bellator MMA, and you can tune in through either the premium channel or Paramount+.
The Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming plan is handy for watching live and on-demand Bellator content at home or on the go. It costs $11.99 a month and offers around 18 live Bellator events per year. That’s not a bad deal when considering how expensive watching other fight promotions can be these days.
Bellator MMA on SHOWTIME FAQ
Where can I watch Bellator MMA?
You can watch most Bellator MMA events live on SHOWTIME, either through the premium channel or the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming service. Some Bellator content also appears on CBS, Pluto TV, and the Bellator MMA YouTube channel.
Is Bellator MMA on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes, you can watch Bellator MMA on Amazon Prime Video if you subscribe to Paramount+ through Prime Video’s add-on channels. Other streaming services like fuboTV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV also offer SHOWTIME as an add-on.
Does ESPN+ have Bellator MMA?
No, ESPN+ doesn’t have Bellator MMA. You need SHOWTIME to watch most Bellator matchups. But you can watch UFC on ESPN+—including exclusive UFC Fight Nights and UFC PPV events.
Methodology
Our sports experts spent the last year watching Bellator MMA events through SHOWTIME’s premium channel and standalone streaming service. We compared the two methods of accessing SHOWTIME and evaluated other Bellator viewing options like Pluto TV and YouTube, focusing on event coverage, pricing, and additional programming.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
