YouTube TV carries most UFC events, but not all of them

YouTube TV includes ESPN and ESPN+ as part of its standard package, which means you can watch most UFC fights that air on those channels. However, some UFC events are exclusive to ESPN+ as a standalone streaming service, and those are not included in your YouTube TV subscription. The fights that appear on ESPN or ESPN2 during YouTube TV's broadcast hours will show up in your guide like any other channel.

The catch is that ESPN+ exclusives—fights that the UFC sells only through ESPN's direct streaming service—require a separate ESPN+ subscription on top of your YouTube TV membership. This is the same split that exists for people with cable: some fights are on the TV channels, others are behind the streaming paywall.

Key Takeaways

  • UFC fights broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2 are included in YouTube TV's standard package and appear in your regular channel guide.
  • UFC events exclusive to ESPN+ require a separate ESPN+ subscription and cannot be watched through YouTube TV alone.
  • The UFC schedule changes which fights go to which platform, so checking the UFC's official schedule before fight night tells you where to watch.
  • YouTube TV's DVR feature lets you record UFC fights that air on ESPN channels, though storage limits explore.

Which UFC events show up on YouTube TV

YouTube TV includes live access to ESPN and ESPN2, so any UFC event scheduled for those channels during their normal broadcast times will appear in your guide. This typically includes some main card fights and preliminary bouts, depending on the event. You can find these fights the same way you find any other program—by searching for UFC in the YouTube TV app or browsing the sports section.

The UFC holds events most weekends, but not every event airs on ESPN. Smaller preliminary cards often stream only on ESPN+ or on the UFC's own Fight Pass service. The main card of a numbered UFC event (like UFC 300) usually has at least some fights on ESPN, but the full preliminary card may not be.

ESPN+ exclusives and what they cost

ESPN+ is a separate subscription from YouTube TV. It costs around $11 per month on its own, though the price varies depending on whether you bundle it with Hulu or Disney+. When the UFC schedules a fight as an ESPN+ exclusive, that fight will not appear on ESPN or ESPN2, and YouTube TV will not carry it.

The UFC and ESPN decide which fights go to which platform based on the event's size and expected viewership. A major pay-per-view event might have preliminary fights on ESPN+ and the main card on ESPN, or the entire event might be exclusive to ESPN+. There is no fixed rule—you have to check the schedule for each event.

How to find out where a specific fight will air

The UFC's official website lists every upcoming event with the broadcast details. Go to ufc.com, find the event you want to watch, and it will tell you which platform carries which fights. ESPN also publishes its UFC schedule on espn.com. Both sources update as fights are added or moved between platforms.

YouTube TV's app also shows upcoming UFC events in the sports section, but it only displays fights that are actually on ESPN or ESPN2—it will not list ESPN+ exclusives. So if you do not see a fight in YouTube TV's guide, that usually means it is exclusive to ESPN+ or another platform.

Recording UFC fights on YouTube TV

YouTube TV includes cloud DVR storage, which means you can record UFC fights that air on ESPN or ESPN2. The recording will stay in your library for nine months, and you can watch it anytime during that window. This is useful if a fight airs at an inconvenient time or if you want to save it to rewatch later.

To record a fight, find it in the YouTube TV guide and select the record button. If it is part of a series (like all UFC events), you can set YouTube TV to record the entire series automatically. Keep in mind that your DVR storage is shared across all programs you record, so very long recordings or a large library can fill it up.

What to do if a fight is not on YouTube TV

If the fight you want is exclusive to ESPN+, you have two options: subscribe to ESPN+ separately, or check whether the UFC is offering it through another platform. Some fights air on traditional pay-per-view through cable or satellite providers, though this is less common now. The UFC Fight Pass (the UFC's own streaming service) also carries some events, though it is primarily used outside the United States.

Before you buy anything, verify the broadcast details on ufc.com or espn.com. Prices and platform availability change, and it is worth confirming exactly where a specific fight is scheduled before you commit to a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ESPN+ if I have YouTube TV?

Only if you want to watch UFC fights that are exclusive to ESPN+. Most regular UFC events have at least some fights on ESPN or ESPN2, which are included in YouTube TV. But some events or specific fights are only on ESPN+, so you may need both depending on which fights you want to see.

Can I watch UFC replays on YouTube TV?

Yes, if you record the fight using YouTube TV's DVR feature while it airs on ESPN or ESPN2. You can also sometimes find replays on ESPN's on-demand library within YouTube TV, though availability varies. ESPN+ also keeps replays of fights that aired on that platform.

What if a UFC fight gets moved to a different channel?

The UFC and ESPN occasionally move fights between platforms or channels due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons. Check the official UFC schedule the day before the event to confirm where it is airing. YouTube TV's guide will update automatically if a fight moves to a different ESPN channel.

Is there a way to watch all UFC fights with one subscription?

No single subscription covers every UFC fight in the United States. YouTube TV plus ESPN+ covers most events, but some fights may air on pay-per-view or other platforms. The UFC splits its content across multiple services, so you may need more than one subscription depending on which events you follow.