The rumors finally stopped being rumors and turned into a $7.7 billion reality. If you've been refreshing your feed wondering when is ufc coming to paramount, the short answer is: right now. As of January 2026, the Octagon has officially moved house.
The deal between TKO Group Holdings and the newly formed Paramount-Skydance giant didn't just move some logos around. It killed the pay-per-view model as we knew it. For years, being a UFC fan meant shell out $80 for a main card on a Saturday night after already paying for a monthly subscription. That’s gone.
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The Big Switch: When is UFC Coming to Paramount?
The official partnership kicked off on January 24, 2026, with UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett. This wasn't a soft launch. It was a massive, cross-platform takeover. While the ESPN era lasted seven solid years and definitely helped "legitimize" the sport, Dana White and the TKO crew decided that the future was basically "all-you-can-eat" streaming.
Honestly, the transition has been a bit of a whirlwind. Some fans are still trying to log into their old ESPN+ accounts only to find a big "Moved to Paramount" banner. If you're looking for the schedule, here’s the gist of what’s happening in 2026:
- 13 Numbered Events: These are the big "PPV-style" cards. They are now included in your Paramount+ subscription at no extra cost.
- 30 Fight Nights: These happen almost every weekend and are exclusive to the app.
- CBS Simulcasts: Select massive fights will air on the main CBS broadcast channel, meaning you can actually watch them with a digital antenna if you're old school like that.
Why the Move Matters More Than You Think
Paramount didn't just buy the rights to show fights; they bought the whole ecosystem. This includes The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series. If you're in the U.S., Latin America, or Australia, Paramount+ is now the "one-stop shop" for everything.
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There's some drama, though. Right as the deal started, Paramount+ hiked their prices. The Essential plan jumped to $90 a year, and the ad-free Premium version is now $140. It’s a classic "give with one hand, take with the other" move. You save $80 on the PPV, but your monthly bill is a bit heavier. Kinda sucks, but when you do the math, most hardcore fans are still saving hundreds of dollars a year.
What happened to the first event?
UFC 324 was supposed to be even bigger. We were slated to see Kayla Harrison take on Amanda Nunes, but a neck surgery sidelined Harrison. Instead, we got Justin Gaethje and Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. It’s a different vibe, but it still pulled massive numbers for the platform's debut.
The Tech and the Talent
One thing that’s actually cool is the change in the broadcast booth. While we still have Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and DC (thank god), Paramount brought in Kate Scott from CBS Sports to lead the host desk. She’s been doing the UEFA Champions League coverage, and she brings a totally different energy to the pre-fight shows.
The app itself? Well, that’s the sticking point. Reddit is currently a war zone of fans complaining about the Paramount+ interface. Some people say it runs like a dream on Roku and Apple TV, but if you're trying to watch on an Android device or a smart TV app, you might run into some lag. It’s a bit of a growing pain.
Looking Ahead at the 2026 Schedule
If you're planning your weekends, here’s where the Octagon is headed next:
- UFC 325 (Jan 31): Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 in Sydney. This is one of those CBS simulcasts.
- UFC Fight Night (Feb 7): Bautista vs. Oliveira at the Apex.
- UFC 326 (March 7): Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 in Vegas.
The "big one" everyone is whispering about is June 14. Rumor has it Dana is saving Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev for a massive event at the White House—or at least somewhere in D.C. with heavy political backing. It sounds wild, but with the new Paramount money, they're swinging for the fences.
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Actionable Steps for Fight Fans
If you haven't made the jump yet, here’s what you actually need to do to stay in the loop:
- Check your current subs: If you only had ESPN+ for UFC, cancel it. You don't need it for fights anymore.
- Download Paramount+: Get it on a stable device like an Apple TV or a specialized streaming stick to avoid the "lag" issues people are reporting on older smart TVs.
- Update your calendar: The main cards for numbered events are still sticking to that 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT start time, but Fight Nights can vary wildly depending on if they're in London or Vegas.
- Watch the Prelims: Don't forget that Fight Pass still exists for some of the deep-underground preliminary fights, but the vast majority of the "Early Prelims" are now folded into the Paramount+ "Live" tab.
The era of ufc coming to paramount is officially here, and while the price hike stings, having every major title fight included in a single subscription is a game-changer for the sport's accessibility. Keep an eye on the "Sports" tab in your app; that’s where the live Octagon feed lives now.