Note: As of 2026, UFC streaming rights in the U.S. have moved from ESPN+ to Paramount Plus, making Paramount Plus the primary platform to watch UFC events. Some selected events may also air on CBS.

Buckle up UFC fans, everything is changing in 2026. Paramount Plus is now officially your go-to platform for all things UFC, with the previous ESPN deal having now come to an end. This is a landmark moment for the sport, with the deal bringing UFC action to the Paramount Plus platform for the first time, replacing the previous PPV model that existed under the ESPN deal. However, some select events will also be simulcast and nationally broadcasted on CBS.

There is a lot to wrap your head around, and with UFC fans now needing to enter the world of Paramount Plus to keep up with their favorite sport, this guide aims to answer some of the questions you may have. So, read on to discover everything you need to know about how to stream UFC today.

Does Paramount Plus have PPV UFC?

No, there will not be a pay-per-view (PPV) model under the new deal with Paramount Plus. All fights will come under the main Paramount Plus subscription. In other words, good news for fans of the sport, who no longer have to worry about coughing up extra cash for the right to watch the biggest fights. Under the previous ESPN model, numbered events were purchased separately, in addition to the monthly subscription that customers paid for ESPN+.

Now, as part of this new deal, consumers no longer have to pay extra for numbered events, as every fight is covered under the Paramount Plus subscription. So, if you are a fan of the big guns like Islam Makhachev, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, your life just got a hell of a lot easier, as all of the biggest names and biggest fighters will be in one place.

What plan do I need to watch UFC on Paramount Plus

To watch UFC on Paramount Plus, you can use either the Essential or the Premium plan, as both include full UFC coverage. UFC events are not restricted to a specific tier, meaning you do not need to upgrade to a higher plan to access live fights.

Both Paramount Plus plans provide access to all UFC programming available on the platform, including numbered events, Fight Nights, and prelims. Regardless of which plan you choose, UFC coverage is included as part of the standard subscription, with no separate UFC-only package required.

As a result, there’s no need to pay extra for the Premium plan in order to watch all the action in the octagon, as the Essential plan will give customers access to all UFC events going forward.

No matter where in the world the UFC is hosting live events, whether in the US or overseas in Australia, China or in the United Kingdom, your Paramount Plus subscription will get you access to these events in full, from the first prelim fight all the way to the main event.

Will Paramount Plus increase with UFC?

Yes. Having added UFC into the portfolio, the cost of a monthly Paramount Plus Essential subscription is now $8.99 per month, while the cost of the Paramount Plus Premium subscription is now $13.99 per month.

Paramount+ Essential

$5.99 per month → $8.99 per month

Paramount+ Premium

$11.99 per month → $13.99 per month

This is a slight increase on the previous cost of Paramount subscriptions and remains the only way to watch UFC events going forward. While the increase in price isn’t ideal, it isn’t a huge price to pay to get access to the world’s elite fighters from the comfort of your own home.

Cheapest way to watch UFC fights

The cheapest way to watch UFC on Paramount Plus is with the Essential plan. Priced at just $8.99 per month, or $89.99 for the entire year, it offers fantastic value for fight fans. You can find a full breakdown of Paramount Plus pricing in the table below.

Whether you follow a specific fighter or simply love the drama of the race for UFC gold, this is the most affordable way to stay locked into the UFC. For less than $9 a month, you get front-row access to stars like Tom Aspinall, Alexander Volkanovski, and Valentina Shevchenko, as they battle to defend their titles against the very best in the world.

Paramount Plus Pricing Table (vs. ESPN+)

The comparison of the cost of the old model is shown on the table below.

Feature	ESPN+ (Old Model)	Paramount+
Primary Platform	ESPN+	Paramount+
PPV Cost	$79.99 per event	$0 (Included)
Monthly Subscription	$11.99	$8.99 (Essential)
Total Yearly Cost	$1,000+ (Sub + PPVs)	$89.99 (Annual Plan)

How long is the UFC Paramount Plus deal?

The current UFC Paramount Plus deal has been agreed for seven years, with Paramount paying $7.7 billion to make Paramount Plus becoming the primary home of UFC events until at least 2032. This deal gives Paramount Plus exclusive rights to events for one of the biggest sports organisations on planet earth, helping them attract fight fans everywhere to the platform.

This comes as we head into a big year for the UFC, with the potential for a huge fight card at the White House, as well as the possible return of superstars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. So, this has become a huge opportunity for Paramount to show mega fights like this one, as well as so many more massive championship fights in the coming years.

As a result of this deal, it has never been cheaper for UFC fans to keep up with live events and watch the best fighters in the world almost every week. Championship bouts and pay-per-views are now included on the platform, removing the painful need to fork out upwards of $79.99 for every PPV. 2026 should be a great year for UFC fans!

Upcoming Live Sports on DirecTV Sports 717