The UFC is launching a new era on a new platform by moving its pay-per-view events to Paramount+ in 2026. All of its major fights will be part of the subscription package starting January 24th. The change reflects a shift in how MMA fans will be able to access live events and title fights, with Paramount+ subscribers getting exclusive access across the United States and Latin America. Learn more about switch here.
Transition to Paramount+
The UFC’s transition to Paramount+ will be official on January 24th with its inaugural event, UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett in Las Vegas. It will usher in a new era of subscription-first watching that replaces the traditional U.S. pay-per-view model. According to an announcement from both companies, all Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. and parts of Latin America will get exclusive access to every numbered event and all Fight Night cards as part of their subscription. The Q1 slate is full of events, highlighting the new transition.
UFC 324 will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. The co-main event will feature Kayla Harrison defending her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes, who is making a return from retirement. Similar to ESPN+, Paramount+ will have UFC 324 follow the same broadcast window, with early prelims, prelims, and a main card beginning in primetime Eastern.
Upcoming Events
Confirmed dates and locations for the New Year’s set of fights are included below:
- January 24th – UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas)
- January 31st – UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes II (Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney)
- February 7th – Fight Night (UFC Apex, Las Vegas)
- February 21st – Fight Night (Toyota Center, Houston)
- February 28th – Fight Night (Arena CDMX, Mexico City)
- March 7th – UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas)
- March 14th – Fight Night (UFC Apex, Las Vegas)
- March 21st – Fight Night (The O2, London)
- March 28th – Fight Night (Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle)
Drawing in More Viewers
Adding a title fight to UFC’s inaugural event on Paramount+ is exactly what the sport needs to keep climbing in numbers. This sentiment was echoed by upcoming headliner Justin Gaethje, saying, “With Paramount and UFC combining, this is the fight that everyone wants.” The line has been used in promotions to jumpstart the streamer’s high-profile launch. It also sets the tone for a new type of streaming, where U.S. fans do not have to purchase numbered events via separate pay-per-view transactions. Instead, viewers can enjoy it right from their base subscription.
Paramount is using the deal to further its sports offerings on the platform. Its live-event roster now includes combat-sports partnerships, a partnership with Arsenal in England, and rights for the UEFA Champions League in the U.K. and Ireland. This reflects bigger actions by the company, as they use aggressive dealmaking to increase their scale, including a high-profile cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The moves are all part of a plan to drive subscriber growth and retention in future years.
Final Thoughts
For dedicated fight fans, the upcoming months may see a switch in streaming platforms, but this is resulting in stacked numbered cards and an international Fight Night footprint designed to make live MMA a focal point of Paramount+’s library. As always, make sure to confirm event start times and card lineups on official channels, as dates may change leading into and during 2026.
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