UFC moved to a different streaming home, so Paramount+ no longer carries live events

Paramount+ stopped showing UFC fights because the organization signed an exclusive deal with a different streaming service. Starting in 2024, the UFC moved its live events to ESPN+, which is now the only place to watch most UFC fights online. Paramount+ may still have older UFC content or replays, but new fights and pay-per-view events are not available there.

This shift happened because ESPN+ offered the UFC a larger contract. The move affects all Paramount+ subscribers equally — it is not a regional difference or account type issue. If you want to watch current UFC events, you need to use ESPN+ instead.

Key Takeaways

  • UFC fights moved exclusively to ESPN+ in 2024, so Paramount+ no longer streams live events or new pay-per-view cards.
  • Paramount+ may still have archived UFC content or older replays, but these are not current events.
  • ESPN+ requires a separate subscription from Paramount+; having one does not give you access to the other.
  • If you have cable or satellite TV, some UFC events still air on traditional channels like ESPN or ABC, which you can watch through your TV provider's app.

Where to watch UFC fights now

ESPN+ is the primary home for UFC content. Most UFC events — including regular fight nights and championship cards — stream exclusively on ESPN+. You need an active ESPN+ subscription to watch these events live or on demand.

Some UFC pay-per-view events are available through ESPN+ at a higher price than the base subscription. Other events may also air on traditional ESPN or ABC channels if you have a cable or satellite TV subscription. Check the ESPN+ app or ESPN.com a few days before an event to see where that specific card will stream.

How ESPN+ differs from Paramount+

ESPN+ and Paramount+ are separate services run by different companies. Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global, while ESPN+ is owned by Disney. Having a subscription to one does not give you access to the other, even if you subscribe to both.

ESPN+ costs less than Paramount+ on its own, but it focuses on sports content. If you want both services, you would pay for each subscription separately. Some people bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu, which may lower the total cost compared to buying each one individually.

Checking what content Paramount+ still has

Paramount+ may have older UFC fights, documentaries, or replays in its library. To find this content, search "UFC" in the Paramount+ app or website. Any results you see are older material, not current events.

The amount of archived UFC content on Paramount+ varies and may change over time as licensing agreements expire. If you see a UFC title listed, you can watch it, but it will not be a live event or a recent pay-per-view card.

What changed and when

The UFC signed a multi-year deal with ESPN+ that began in 2024. This contract gave ESPN+ exclusive rights to stream most UFC events. Before this deal, UFC content was spread across multiple platforms, including Paramount+, but that is no longer the case.

The shift was a business decision between the UFC and ESPN. Paramount+ did not lose the rights — the UFC chose to move its events to ESPN+ for financial reasons. This type of change is common in sports streaming, where rights move between platforms every few years.

If you already pay for Paramount+

Your Paramount+ subscription does not include UFC events anymore, but you still have access to all other Paramount+ content — movies, TV shows, and sports like NFL games and college football. Your subscription has not changed in value for non-UFC content.

If you want to watch UFC, you would need to add ESPN+ as a separate subscription. You can keep both services if you watch content on each one, or you can cancel Paramount+ if UFC was the main reason you subscribed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch UFC on Paramount+ if I have cable TV?

No. Even if you have cable, UFC events are not on Paramount+ itself. Some UFC events air on ESPN or ABC channels through cable, and you can stream those through your TV provider's app if you have login credentials. But Paramount+ the streaming service does not carry UFC.

Will UFC come back to Paramount+ later?

The current ESPN+ deal runs for multiple years, so UFC is unlikely to return to Paramount+ in the near future. Streaming rights can change when contracts expire, but that would not happen for several years. For now, ESPN+ is the only streaming home for UFC.

Do I need ESPN+ if I have cable and can watch UFC on TV?

Not necessarily. If your cable package includes ESPN and ABC, you can watch many UFC events on those channels. However, some events stream only on ESPN+ and are not on cable. Check the event schedule to see where each card will air.

Is ESPN+ more expensive than Paramount+?

ESPN+ costs less than Paramount+ on its own, but Paramount+ offers more non-sports content. If you only want UFC, ESPN+ is cheaper. If you want both UFC and Paramount's movies and shows, you would pay for both subscriptions separately.

Why did UFC leave Paramount+?

ESPN+ offered the UFC a larger financial deal. The UFC is a business that sells its events to the highest bidder. ESPN+ was willing to pay more than Paramount+ for exclusive streaming rights, so the UFC moved there.