Look, let’s be real. There is nothing worse than sitting down with your wings and a cold drink only to realize you’re three fights behind or, worse, the main event just ended. It happens way more than you’d think. With the UFC 311 start time, things are a little different this year because the promotion is leaning hard into its new broadcast rhythms for 2026.
If you're looking for the quick answer: the main card for UFC 311 kicks off at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT. But honestly, if you wait until then to tune in, you’re missing the best part of the value.
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The sport has changed. The days of only caring about the top two lines on the poster are over. With prospects like Payton Talbott and the surging dominance of the Dagestani cohorts throughout the prelims, the "actual" start time for a die-hard fan is much earlier.
Breaking Down the UFC 311 Start Time Across Every Zone
The UFC is finally back at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, and since it’s a West Coast card, the local fans are getting a sweet deal with a daylight start. For the rest of us, we’ve got to manage the clock.
Here is how the tiers actually roll out:
- Early Prelims: These start at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT. You can catch these on UFC Fight Pass or Disney+.
- The Mid-Level Prelims: Usually the "sweet spot" for hardcore fans. This block starts at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT and is broadcast on ESPN News and FX.
- The Main Event PPV: The big show. 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT.
One thing people always mess up is the "walkout time." If you only care about seeing Islam Makhachev or Renato Moicano, don't expect them to hit the cage at 10:00 PM. Usually, the main event walkouts for a five-fight main card happen around 12:15 AM ET. If the undercard fights go to a lot of decisions, you might be looking at closer to 12:30 AM. Plan your caffeine intake accordingly.
Why the Intuit Dome Changes the Vibe
This isn't just another Vegas show at the Apex. The Intuit Dome is a high-tech beast. Because the UFC is trying to maximize the "fan experience" in Los Angeles, they’ve scheduled a massive Fan Experience plaza event from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM local time.
If you are actually in LA, the doors for the arena open at 5:00 PM PT.
Basically, the atmosphere in that building is going to be electric by the time the prelims hit the halfway mark. There’s a specific energy when the UFC hits California—it’s less corporate than Vegas and feels a bit more like a raw sporting event.
The Streaming Shocker
You’ve probably noticed that things aren’t just on "regular TV" anymore. For 2026, the partnership with Disney+ has deepened. You can actually stream the prelims directly inside the Disney+ app now. It’s kinda weird seeing Mickey Mouse next to a guy getting a rear-naked choke, but hey, that's the world we live in.
The Card: Who is Actually Fighting?
The main reason people are searching for the UFC 311 start time is the absolute legend-tier matchmaking on this card. We were supposed to get Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2, but injuries are the undefeated champion of MMA.
Instead, we have Renato Moicano stepping in. Moicano has become a massive cult favorite because of his post-fight interviews (and his "Money Moicano" persona), but he's a dangerous out for anyone.
The co-main is arguably the "real" main event for the purists: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. This is a bantamweight title fight that will likely determine the pace of the division for the next three years. Merab doesn't tire. Umar doesn't miss. It’s a literal chess match at 100 miles per hour.
Don't Sleep on These Fights:
- Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill: This is light heavyweight chaos. Neither of these guys knows how to take a backward step.
- Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos: Talbott is the "it" kid right now. If you want to see a future champion before he becomes a household name, you need to be watching during the 8:00 PM ET window.
- Reinier de Ridder vs. Kevin Holland: The "Dutch Knight" making his moves in the UFC middleweight division. Holland is always a wild card, and de Ridder’s grappling is world-class.
International Times (For the Global Fans)
If you aren't in the States, the struggle is real. The UFC 311 start time for our friends across the pond is... rough.
In the UK and Ireland, the main card doesn't even start until 3:00 AM GMT on Sunday morning. If you’re in Australia, you’re looking at a Sunday afternoon delight, with the main card kicking off around 2:00 PM AEDT.
Honestly, if you're in Europe, just go to sleep early and wake up at 4:00 AM. Trying to stay up through the prelims is a young man's game, and by the time the main event starts, you'll be too tired to appreciate the grappling transitions.
Actionable Tips for Fight Night
To make sure you actually enjoy the night without technical glitches or missing the big KOs, follow this checklist:
- Check your ESPN+ login now. Don't wait until 9:55 PM to realize you forgot your password or your subscription lapsed.
- Order the PPV early. The servers occasionally chug when everyone tries to buy the fight at the exact same moment the main card starts.
- Sync your social media. If you're watching on a delay, stay off X (Twitter). The spoilers move faster than a Merab takedown.
- The "Double Screen" Method. Since the prelims are on FX/ESPN News and the main card is on PPV, have your tablet ready for the transition so you don't miss the momentum.
The most important thing to remember is that the UFC 311 start time of 10:00 PM ET is just the beginning of the end. The real story starts at 6:00 PM. Get your setup ready, check your internet connection, and enjoy one of the deepest cards we've seen in the 2026 season so far.