UFC fights on Paramount Plus air on Saturday nights, usually starting at 10 p.m. ET, but the schedule changes month to month

Paramount Plus carries UFC Fight Night events and some UFC pay-per-view main cards, but not every fight card. The timing depends on which promotion owns the broadcast rights for that particular event. Some UFC events air on ESPN or ESPN+ instead, and a few major pay-per-views require a separate purchase even if you have Paramount Plus.

The fastest way to find out what's on this week or next month is to check the Paramount Plus app directly — the schedule updates as fights are confirmed. You can also visit the UFC's official website, which lists all upcoming events and which streaming service will carry each one.

Key Takeaways

  • UFC Fight Night events typically air Saturday nights on Paramount Plus, but you should check the app or UFC website to confirm the date and time for each specific event.
  • Major UFC pay-per-view cards sometimes air on Paramount Plus with a Paramount Plus subscription, but some still require a separate purchase through other platforms.
  • The broadcast rights for UFC events are split among multiple services, so not every fight card appears on Paramount Plus.
  • Paramount Plus events usually start at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, though preliminary fights may begin earlier in the evening.

How to find the UFC schedule on Paramount Plus

Open the Paramount Plus app on your phone, tablet, or TV and search for "UFC" in the search bar. The app will show you upcoming UFC events and which ones are included with your subscription. Paramount Plus also sends notifications to your phone when a fight card is about to start, so you won't miss a Saturday night event if you have notifications turned on.

If you prefer to plan ahead, the UFC website (ufc.com) lists every upcoming event with the broadcast platform next to it. This is the most reliable way to see which fights are on Paramount Plus weeks in advance, because the Paramount Plus app only shows events a few days out.

UFC Fight Night versus pay-per-view events

UFC Fight Night is the promotion's regular series of events that air on cable and streaming services without an extra charge. These cards typically feature ranked fighters but not the biggest championship bouts. If you have a Paramount Plus subscription, you can watch UFC Fight Night events at no additional cost.

Pay-per-view events are the major cards — usually championship fights or highly promoted matchups. Some of these air on Paramount Plus with your regular subscription, but others require you to pay an additional fee through a different platform like ESPN+ or traditional pay-per-view. The UFC and Paramount Plus announce which model applies to each event when the card is confirmed.

What time UFC events start on Paramount Plus

Most UFC Fight Night events on Paramount Plus begin at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday nights. The preliminary fights (the undercard) usually start earlier, around 7 p.m. ET, and air on the Paramount Plus app or on a secondary feed. The main card — the fights most people tune in for — kicks off at 10 p.m.

Time zones matter: 10 p.m. ET is 9 p.m. CT, 8 p.m. MT, and 7 p.m. PT. If you're watching from outside the United States, check your local Paramount Plus app, because some regions air events on different days or times depending on their time zone and local broadcast agreements.

Paramount Plus subscription tiers and UFC access

Both the Essential and Premium tiers of Paramount Plus include UFC Fight Night events. The difference between the tiers is ads: Essential includes advertisements, while Premium removes most ads. Neither tier costs extra for UFC content — it's included in your regular monthly subscription.

If a UFC event requires a separate pay-per-view purchase, that fee is not covered by either Paramount Plus tier. You would buy the event through ESPN+ or another platform and pay that additional cost on top of your Paramount Plus subscription.

When UFC moved to Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus began carrying UFC Fight Night events in 2023 as part of a broadcast rights deal between the UFC and Paramount Global. Before that, most UFC Fight Night events aired on ESPN or ESPN+. The shift means some longtime UFC fans had to add Paramount Plus to their streaming services to keep watching the full schedule.

The broadcast landscape for UFC continues to change. ESPN still carries some events, and major pay-per-views are sometimes split across multiple platforms. This is why checking the UFC website or your streaming app before each event is the only reliable way to know where to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Paramount Plus to watch any UFC event?

No. Some UFC events air on ESPN or ESPN+, and some major pay-per-views are available through traditional cable pay-per-view. Paramount Plus carries UFC Fight Night events and some pay-per-view main cards, but not all UFC fights. Check the UFC website to see which platform carries the specific event you want to watch.

Can I watch UFC Fight Night events on demand after they air?

Yes. Paramount Plus keeps UFC Fight Night events in its library after they broadcast live, so you can watch them on demand the next day or later in the week. Availability varies by region, so check your app to see if the event you missed is still available to watch.

What if I don't have Paramount Plus but want to watch a UFC event?

Check the UFC website to see which platform carries that specific event. It may air on ESPN, ESPN+, or traditional pay-per-view instead. Some events are broadcast on cable television if you have a TV subscription, so that's another option depending on the card.

Are preliminary fights included with Paramount Plus, or do I need a separate subscription?

Preliminary fights are included with your Paramount Plus subscription. They air on the app, sometimes on a secondary feed or earlier in the evening than the main card. You don't pay extra to watch the undercard.

Can I watch UFC events on Paramount Plus outside the United States?

Availability depends on your country. Some regions have Paramount Plus with UFC content, while others use different streaming services or broadcast partners. Check the Paramount Plus app in your region or the UFC website to see what's available where you are.