If you’re scrambling to figure out what time is the ufc on tomorrow, you aren’t alone. The world of MMA scheduling has become a bit of a moving target lately. With the massive shift in how we actually watch these fights—honestly, the jump from the ESPN era to the new Paramount+ deal has left a lot of us scratching our heads—getting the start time right is the difference between catching a viral knockout and staring at a "This event has ended" screen while your group chat loses its mind.
Tomorrow is Saturday, January 17, 2026. Here is the weird thing: there actually isn't a live UFC event tomorrow.
Wait, don’t close the tab yet.
There’s a massive reason why everyone is searching for this right now. We are currently in the "calm before the storm" week. The UFC is about to launch its biggest rebranding effort in a decade. Most people are looking for the return of the Octagon because the first-ever event on Paramount+, UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett, is looming large on the horizon for next weekend.
UFC 324: The Real Reason Everyone Is Checking the Clock
The UFC has been dark for a couple of weeks to prepare for the Las Vegas blowout at T-Mobile Arena on January 24. If you were hoping to see gloves touch tomorrow, you’re going to have to settle for the "UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2" replays or the ceremonial build-up shows.
But let’s talk about the actual times for when the live action returns next week, because the UFC has officially changed the standard "Main Card" clock for the 2026 season. They aren't sticking to the old 10:00 PM ET start time that kept East Coast fans up until 2:00 AM on Sundays.
The New Standard Start Times (Starting Jan 24)
- Early Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
- Prelims: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
- Main Card: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
Basically, they moved everything up by an hour. If you tune in at your "usual" time next week, you’re going to miss the first two fights of the main card. That’s a nightmare scenario when you realize Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong is sitting right there in the middle of the stack.
Why the UFC Schedule Is Kinda Messy Right Now
Since the transition to Paramount+, the way we consume the sport has shifted. We're no longer strictly tied to the ESPN+ pay-per-view model for every single numbered event. For those who didn't get the memo, UFC 324 and UFC 325 (which features the Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 rematch in Sydney) are included in the standard Paramount+ subscription.
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Because of this, the UFC is trying to capture a more "prime time" audience. 9:00 PM ET is the new sweet spot.
Tomorrow, Jan 17, while the Octagon is empty, the sports world is mostly focused on the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators game happening at the T-Mobile Arena—the very same venue that will be draped in UFC canvas seven days later. If you’re looking for combat sports tomorrow to fill the void, you'll likely find smaller regional promotions, but the big show is taking a breather.
What to Watch Tomorrow Instead
Since there’s no live UFC tomorrow, you’ve basically got three choices if you need a fix:
- UFC 311 Re-runs: Most fans are still reeling from the Islam Makhachev victory earlier this month. The replays are cycling through the new streaming home.
- The Countdown to UFC 324: The "Embedded" vlogs and the "Countdown" specials for Gaethje vs. Pimblett usually start hitting the feeds right around now.
- The "Paramount+ Era" Previews: There’s a ton of content explaining the new rules, the new broadcast team (yes, there are some rumors about booth changes), and the "no-PPV" experiment.
UFC 324 Main Card: Who Is Fighting?
When the clock finally hits 9:00 PM ET next Saturday, the lineup is actually insane. It’s not just a "let's see how this streaming works" card. It's a "we need to break the internet" card.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett are headlining for the interim lightweight title. It's a stylistic nightmare for Paddy, but the hype is undeniable. Then you have the co-main: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes. The GOAT coming out of retirement to face the Olympic gold medalist is the kind of fight we thought we'd only see in video games.
The Actionable Roadmap for Your Weekend
If you were mentally prepared to order a pizza and watch people get punched tomorrow, don't let the "no fight" news ruin your vibe. Here is what you should actually do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Double-check your subscriptions: Ensure your Paramount+ login is active. Don't be the guy trying to reset his password five minutes before Gaethje walks out next week.
- Update your calendar: Physically or digitally mark 9:00 PM ET for next Saturday. Forget the 10:00 PM start time. It’s dead.
- Watch the Volkanovski vs. Lopes 1 replay: If you want to understand why the UFC is heading to Australia for UFC 325 on January 31, you need to see their first fight. It was arguably the 2025 Fight of the Year.
Knowing what time is the ufc on tomorrow is usually simple, but this specific weekend is the rare exception where the UFC takes a beat. Use the time to catch up on the rankings—the featherweight and lightweight divisions are currently in a state of absolute chaos, and by the time February 1st rolls around, the entire landscape of the sport will look completely different.
Check the official UFC app or the Paramount+ sports portal tomorrow afternoon. They often drop "Free Fights" featuring the upcoming headliners. Watching Gaethje’s highlight reel is a pretty solid way to spend a Saturday night, even if it's not live.