UFC fights are not included in Paramount Plus Essential

Paramount Plus Essential, the lower-cost tier, does not carry UFC events. The streaming service offers movies, TV shows, and some sports content through CBS, but mixed martial arts fights are not part of that package. If you want to watch UFC on Paramount, you need the higher tier: Paramount Plus with Showtime.

Paramount Plus with Showtime costs more per month than Essential, but it includes Showtime channels where UFC events air. The exact price varies depending on whether you pay monthly or commit to an annual plan, and whether you bundle it with other services.

Not every UFC event appears on Paramount either. The UFC has deals with multiple broadcasters — ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, and regional cable networks all carry fights depending on the card. Paramount Plus with Showtime carries select events, primarily pay-per-view cards on the Showtime channel.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus Essential does not include UFC programming of any kind.
  • UFC fights on Paramount require the Paramount Plus with Showtime tier, which costs more than Essential.
  • Not all UFC events air on Paramount — the UFC is broadcast across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, and Showtime depending on the event.
  • You can check the UFC's official schedule to see which broadcaster carries each upcoming fight card.

How UFC broadcasting rights work across platforms

The UFC does not have a single home broadcaster. Instead, the organization sells rights to different networks for different types of events. Pay-per-view cards — the biggest fights with title bouts — typically air on Showtime or ESPN+. Regular Fight Night cards and preliminary fights may air on ESPN, ESPN+, or regional cable channels.

Paramount Plus with Showtime carries Showtime's portion of UFC events. This means if a fight card is scheduled for Showtime, it will also be available to stream on Paramount Plus with Showtime. However, if the UFC has assigned a card to ESPN+ or ABC, it will not appear on Paramount at all.

The UFC publishes its full schedule on UFC.com, and each event listing shows which network will broadcast it. Checking there before you commit to a streaming service is the fastest way to know whether the fights you want to watch are available on Paramount.

Paramount Plus with Showtime versus Essential: what changes

The main difference between the two tiers is the Showtime channel add-on. Essential gives you Paramount's own content — movies, original series, and CBS broadcasts. With Showtime, you get everything in Essential plus the full Showtime network, which includes sports, documentaries, and premium drama series.

Showtime is where UFC pay-per-view events air when Paramount has the broadcasting rights. The channel also carries boxing, other sports events, and original programming. If you subscribe to Paramount Plus with Showtime, you can stream Showtime content on the Paramount app or watch it live on the Showtime channel itself.

The price difference between the two tiers is significant enough that you should decide whether you will actually watch Showtime content regularly. If UFC is the only reason you are considering the upgrade, check the UFC schedule first to see how many events per month air on Showtime versus other networks.

Where else UFC events are broadcast

ESPN+ is the primary home for UFC events in the United States. Most Fight Night cards and many preliminary fights air exclusively on ESPN+, which requires a separate subscription. Major pay-per-view events sometimes air on both ESPN+ and Showtime, but not always.

ABC and ESPN also broadcast select UFC events, usually the bigger Fight Night cards that the UFC wants to reach a wider audience. These are free to watch if you have cable or can stream them through the ESPN app with a cable login.

If you are a heavy UFC fan, you may end up needing multiple subscriptions — ESPN+ for the bulk of events, and either Paramount Plus with Showtime or a Showtime subscription for the pay-per-views that air there. The UFC's official website lists each upcoming event with its broadcast home, so you can plan accordingly.

How to find out which network carries a specific UFC event

Visit UFC.com and navigate to the Events section. Each upcoming fight card shows the date, time, and broadcast network. The listing will say "ESPN+", "Showtime", "ABC", or "ESPN" depending on where that card is scheduled.

If you see "Showtime" listed, that event will be available on Paramount Plus with Showtime. If you see "ESPN+" or "ESPN", you will need those services instead. Some cards are listed as "PPV" (pay-per-view), which means you may have to pay an additional fee beyond your subscription, depending on the network.

The UFC typically announces its schedule several months in advance, so you can check before the month begins and decide which subscriptions you actually need. This approach is cheaper than paying for multiple services year-round when you only watch a few events per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch UFC on Paramount Plus Essential at all?

No. Paramount Plus Essential does not include any UFC content. You would need to upgrade to Paramount Plus with Showtime, and even then, only the events that air on Showtime will be available — other UFC fights broadcast on ESPN+ or ABC will not appear on Paramount.

Do I have to pay extra for UFC fights on Paramount Plus with Showtime?

Most UFC events on Showtime are included in your Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription. However, some major pay-per-view cards may require an additional purchase on top of your subscription fee. The UFC's event listing will specify if a card is a pay-per-view.

Is Paramount Plus with Showtime worth it just for UFC?

That depends on how many UFC events air on Showtime each month. Check the UFC schedule for the next two or three months and count how many cards are listed as "Showtime" versus "ESPN+" or other networks. If fewer than two or three events per month air on Showtime, ESPN+ alone may be a better value.

What if I only want to watch one UFC event on Paramount?

If a specific fight airs on Showtime, you can subscribe to Paramount Plus with Showtime for one month and then cancel. There are no long-term contracts. However, check whether that event is a pay-per-view, because you may have to pay extra even with the subscription.

Can I watch UFC live on Paramount Plus with Showtime?

Yes. When a UFC event airs on Showtime, you can stream it live on the Paramount app or watch the Showtime channel live if you have that option enabled on your account. The event will also be available on-demand for a period after it airs.