Paramount Plus doesn't have the rights to broadcast most UFC events

Paramount Plus carries some UFC content—replays, documentaries, and occasional older fights—but live UFC events and pay-per-view cards are not included in your Paramount Plus subscription. The UFC sells broadcasting rights separately to different platforms, and Paramount Plus is not one of the primary rights holders for live events.

Live UFC fights air on ESPN+, which is owned by Disney and holds the exclusive streaming rights to most UFC events in the United States. Some fights also appear on traditional cable channels like ESPN, Fox, and occasionally on ABC, depending on the card. If you want to watch a specific UFC event live, you need to check which platform is broadcasting it—and that platform is almost never Paramount Plus.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN+ holds the exclusive streaming rights to most UFC events in the United States, so live fights do not appear on Paramount Plus.
  • Some UFC fights air on cable channels like ESPN, Fox, or ABC, but these are not available through Paramount Plus either.
  • Paramount Plus does offer UFC-related content such as documentaries, replays of past events, and behind-the-scenes shows.
  • The UFC sells broadcasting rights separately to different companies, and those rights change based on the type of event and the broadcast year.

Where to watch live UFC events instead

ESPN+ is the primary place to watch live UFC events. Most numbered UFC cards (UFC 293, UFC 294, and so on) stream exclusively on ESPN+, and you need an active subscription to watch them. Some major events, called "numbered" cards, require an additional pay-per-view purchase on top of your ESPN+ subscription—typically $80 to $90 per event.

Smaller UFC events, called "Fight Night" cards, usually stream on ESPN+ with no additional charge beyond your subscription. Cable channels like ESPN, Fox, and ABC broadcast select UFC events for free or as part of a cable package, but these are not available to stream on Paramount Plus. If a UFC event is airing on cable, you can sometimes stream it through the ESPN app or website if you have a cable login, but that is a separate service from Paramount Plus.

What UFC content Paramount Plus actually has

Paramount Plus does carry UFC-related programming, just not live events. The service offers documentaries about UFC fighters and history, replays of classic fights from past years, and original shows about the sport. If you are interested in learning about UFC fighters or watching older fights, Paramount Plus can be useful for that purpose.

The exact titles available on Paramount Plus change over time, so you can search the app directly to see what is currently there. But if you are looking for a specific upcoming UFC event, Paramount Plus will not have it, and you should check ESPN+ or the cable listings instead.

How UFC broadcasting rights work

The UFC is owned by Endeavor, a large entertainment company, and they sell the right to broadcast fights to different companies. ESPN+ paid for exclusive streaming rights in the United States, which means no other streaming service can show live UFC events. This is similar to how Netflix has exclusive rights to certain shows—once one company buys the rights, other services cannot carry that content.

These rights agreements last for several years and then are renegotiated. It is possible that in the future, a different company could buy UFC streaming rights, but as of now, ESPN+ is the exclusive home for live UFC events in the United States. Paramount Plus has not purchased these rights and does not appear to be pursuing them.

Checking which platform has a specific UFC event

Before you search for a UFC event on any streaming service, visit the official UFC website or the UFC's social media pages. They announce where each upcoming event will broadcast. You can also check ESPN+ directly—if the event is available there, it will be listed on the app's home page or in the sports section.

If you see a UFC event advertised on cable (ESPN, Fox, ABC), you can watch it through those channels or sometimes through their apps if you have a cable login. But Paramount Plus will not carry it, even if it is airing on cable at the same time.

Why Paramount Plus doesn't have UFC rights

Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, which also owns CBS, MTV, and other cable channels. Paramount focuses on entertainment, movies, and some sports, but it did not bid for or win the UFC streaming rights. ESPN+ was willing to pay more for exclusive rights, and the UFC chose to sell to them.

Paramount Plus does carry some sports content—NFL games, college football, and soccer—but UFC is not part of that package. The company's sports strategy focuses on different properties, so UFC events are unlikely to appear on Paramount Plus in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch UFC replays on Paramount Plus?

Yes, Paramount Plus has replays of past UFC fights and UFC-related documentaries. However, these are not current events—they are older fights that have already aired. If you want to watch a live UFC event or a recent fight card, you need ESPN+.

Do I need to pay extra to watch UFC on ESPN Plus?

You need an ESPN+ subscription, which costs around $11 per month. For major numbered UFC cards, you also pay an additional $80 to $90 for the pay-per-view. Smaller Fight Night events are included in the base ESPN+ subscription with no extra charge.

Can I watch UFC on cable through Paramount Plus?

No. Even when UFC events air on cable channels like ESPN or Fox, Paramount Plus does not carry them. You would need to watch on the cable channel itself or through that channel's app with a cable login.

Will Paramount Plus ever get UFC events?

It is unlikely in the near future. ESPN+ has exclusive streaming rights, and those agreements typically last several years. If the rights are sold to a different company in the future, Paramount Plus could potentially bid for them, but that would require a new negotiation.