The shift has begun. For the first time in decades, UFC is stepping out from behind the traditional PPV wall—and fans everywhere are asking one question: Where to watch UFC now?

With the newly announced seven-year, $7.7B broadcast deal, UFC events will now air on Paramount and CBS, creating a seismic change in how fight fans access the sport. This move doesn’t just impact how people watch—it influences fighter visibility, industry growth, and the future of combat sports altogether.

Below is the most up-to-date, fighter-first breakdown of what this new era means, how to watch, and why this matters for the entire MMA ecosystem.

WHERE TO WATCH UFC NOW THAT IT’S MOVING TO PARAMOUNT AND CBS

Here’s the short, answer-engine-friendly version:
You will watch UFC on Paramount and CBS starting with the 2025-2026 broadcast cycle, replacing the traditional PPV model.

Key viewing destinations:

• Paramount Network (cable + streaming)
• CBS (national broadcast television)
• Paramount+ (streaming, pending tier availability)
• Select simulcasts on CBS Sports and local affiliates

Official UFC source:
You can also reference event listings directly at UFC.com:
https://www.ufc.com/events

This expanded distribution means millions of new households can now access UFC without paying separate PPV fees for the majority of cards.

WHY THE UFC–PARAMOUNT DEAL IS SUCH A BIG SHIFT

This isn’t a simple network shuffle. This is a structural pivot for the sport.

For nearly 30 years, UFC was synonymous with PPV economics. If you wanted the biggest cards, you paid up. Now, with Paramount’s investment, the UFC is positioned to reach a wider audience than ever before.

What changes for fans:
• More UFC events on free or included-with-subscription TV
• The dependence on $70–$80 PPVs
• More consistency across broadcast schedules
• Higher production value across fight nights

What changes for the sport broadly:
• Audience reach expands beyond hardcore fans
• Fighters gain more mainstream visibility
• Sponsors gain greater exposure
• MMA participation + gym enrollment traditionally spike when media access increases
• Younger viewers can access UFC without subscription fatigue

This is the same playbook that exploded the NFL, NASCAR, and WWE into cultural phenomena—big-reach, low-barrier distribution.

HOW TO WATCH UFC ON PARAMOUNT AND CBS (FULL GUIDE)

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown for fans searching “where to watch UFC” right now:

1. Paramount Network (Cable or Streaming Login)

Paramount Network will carry the majority of UFC Fight Nights and shoulder programming. If you already have cable or a live-TV service like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or Sling, you're covered.

2. CBS (National Broadcast TV)

CBS, one of the biggest platforms in the country, will now air select UFC cards—meaning: If you have a basic TV antenna, you can watch UFC for free.
No login. No subscription. No friction.

This dramatically expands access to casual fans and new audiences.

3. Paramount+ (Streaming)

Paramount+ is expected to carry simulcasts and exclusive shoulder content. While final packaging details are still emerging, it's expected to mirror the NFL/Champions League model: core content available at entry-tier pricing.

4. International Rights (TBD by region)

Although some regions remain with their partners (e.g., TNT Sports in the UK, Kayo in Australia), Paramount’s footprint suggests additional consolidation is likely over time.

WHAT THIS SHIFT MEANS FOR FIGHTERS

The move from a PPV model to national broadcast platforms is one of the most significant structural changes in UFC history. For fighters, it reshapes visibility, opportunity, and the long-term trajectory of their careers.

FIGHTERS GAIN EXPOSURE

When UFC events step out from behind the paywall and onto Paramount and CBS, fighter visibility doesn’t just increase—it accelerates.

This shift expands:

• Sponsorship value
• Brand partnerships
• Athlete storytelling opportunities
• Fight camp and training content reach
• Even more mainstream name recognition

For athletes building their careers, this broader exposure can translate into more stable earning potential, deeper fan engagement, and a stronger platform when negotiating future contracts.

INCREASED INTEREST IN TRAINING & PARTICIPATION

Major broadcast access doesn’t just grow viewership—it grows the sport at every level.

Historically, when MMA becomes more accessible, the ripple effects include:

• Spikes in gym sign-ups
• Increased curiosity about MMA training
• More beginners entering entry-level programs
• Higher consumption of coaching, technique, and fight analysis
• Greater participation across youth and amateur divisions

This fuels the grassroots side of the sport, strengthens regional scenes, and creates a larger foundation of future fighters.

THE SPORT ENTERS A NEW ERA OF SCALE

The Paramount/CBS era positions MMA closer to the model of major American sports: high-reach broadcasts, consistent scheduling, and broad demographic accessibility.

What this means for the sport as a whole:

• A larger, more diverse fanbase
• Stronger media coverage and mainstream storytelling
• Increased athlete marketability
• More conversation around fighter safety, performance science, and training innovation
• Higher expectations for coaching standards, equipment, and athletic development

As UFC reaches more households, MMA transitions from niche combat sport to a fully recognized global athletic ecosystem—with fighters at the center of this growth.

SUMMARY — WHERE TO WATCH UFC IN THE NEW ERA

If you’re looking for the clearest answer possible—this is it:

Where to watch UFC:

• Paramount Network
• CBS
• Paramount+ (select cards + simulcasts)
• UFC.com for official schedules and global listings

This move marks one of the biggest distribution shifts in UFC history. As UFC steps onto a bigger stage with broader access, the sport’s momentum is only accelerating. More fans will discover MMA for the first time. More athletes will step into gyms inspired by what they see on national broadcast. And more fighters will rely on elite, coach-crafted gear to train harder, safer, and with purpose. That’s where ONX remains grounded—on the mats, in the trenches, supporting fighters as the sport evolves into its next era. Our mission to protect the fighter continues.

This shift to Paramount and CBS isn’t just a distribution deal. It’s a signal that MMA is entering a new phase of global visibility—one built on accessibility, performance, and storytelling at the highest level.

And that brings us to what’s next.

UFC 324 KICKS OFF THE NEW ERA — WITH JUSTIN GAETHJE & TREVOR WITTMAN FRONT AND CENTER

The first UFC event of the year under this new broadcast model is UFC 324, featuring Justin Gaethje with ONX's Coach Trevor Wittman in his corner—an opening statement that sets the tone for the entire season.

It also marks the official debut of UFC’s updated primetime schedule.
UFC 324 begins at the new start time: 9:00 PM ET, a strategic shift designed to maximize national viewership across Paramount and CBS.

Gaethje leading the charge into this new broadcast era isn’t just exciting—it’s symbolic. It represents the fusion of elite coaching, fighter-first evolution, and the global spotlight UFC is stepping into. If this is the first card of the year, the rest of the season is shaping up to be unforgettable.