Sean Strickland is back in the headlines, and every time a big-name UFC fighter trends, the same question follows: where do I actually watch the fights? The answer changed completely in 2026, and if you're still looking for UFC on ESPN+ pay-per-view, you're looking in the wrong place.
The fastest answer
In the United States, UFC events stream on Paramount+. Starting in 2026, Paramount holds the exclusive US rights to UFC, covering the numbered events (like UFC 312, 313, and so on) and the Fight Night cards. The biggest change: there is no more traditional pay-per-view upcharge. A standard Paramount+ subscription — around $7.99/month for the ad-supported Essential plan — gets you the fights that used to cost $79.99 each on top of a subscription.
Select numbered events are also simulcast on CBS, which means some of the biggest cards of the year air on free over-the-air television.
If a Strickland fight is on the calendar, Paramount+ is where you'll find it.
Why everything changed in 2026
For years, watching the UFC in the US meant ESPN+: a subscription for Fight Nights, plus a separate pay-per-view purchase for every numbered event. That era ended when Paramount signed a multi-year rights deal (widely reported at around $7.7 billion over seven years) that took effect in 2026.
The practical effects for viewers:
- One subscription covers everything. Numbered events and Fight Nights live in the same app.
- No per-event PPV fees. This is the single biggest cost drop in UFC viewing history — hardcore fans were paying $800+ per year in PPV fees alone under the old model.
- Broadcast TV is back. CBS simulcasts of select major cards mean UFC on free network television, something that essentially never happened in the ESPN era.
Because this is a long-term deal, this guide should hold up for years: Paramount+ is the home of UFC in the US for the foreseeable future.
Every way to watch UFC: cost breakdown
| Option | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential | ~$7.99/mo | All UFC events with ads on other content; the fights themselves are the draw |
| Paramount+ Premium | ~$12.99/mo | Ad-free on-demand library, your local CBS live feed, Showtime content |
| CBS via antenna | Free (one-time ~$25–$50 for the antenna) | Select numbered-event simulcasts on broadcast TV |
| CBS via live-TV streamer | ~$75–$90/mo (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream) | CBS simulcasts, plus a full cable replacement |
| UFC Fight Pass | ~$9.99/mo | UFC's own service: fight library, classic events, and international/early content — a supplement, not a replacement |
Prices shift over time, so confirm current rates on each service's official site before subscribing. But the shape of the decision is stable: Paramount+ Essential is the default choice for anyone who just wants the fights.
What a year of UFC costs now vs. before
Under the old ESPN model, following every numbered event meant an ESPN+ annual plan plus roughly 13 pay-per-views — easily $1,000+ per year. Under the Paramount model, a full year of Paramount+ Essential runs under $100 (annual plans are typically discounted below the monthly rate). Even if you upgrade to Premium, you're around $130/year. It is not close.
The free and cheapest options
There's no fully free way to watch every UFC card legally, but you have real options:
- An antenna for CBS simulcasts. Select big numbered events air live on CBS. A one-time $25–$50 antenna purchase gets you those cards free forever, in most US markets. Check your local reception at antennaweb.org.
- Paramount+ free trial. Paramount+ has historically offered a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. If one is available when you sign up, you can time it to a fight weekend — just cancel before renewal if you don't want to keep it.
- Bundles you might already have. Paramount+ has appeared in bundles (for example, with Walmart+ memberships) — check whether a subscription you already pay for includes it before buying it separately.
- Student and annual discounts. Paramount+ has offered student pricing and meaningful annual-plan discounts; check the official site for current promotions.
How to watch a UFC event: quick steps
- Check the card. UFC.com lists upcoming events with dates and start times. Main cards for numbered events typically start at 10 p.m. ET, with prelims earlier in the evening.
- Subscribe to Paramount+. The app is on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, game consoles, phones, and the web.
- Look for a CBS simulcast. If the event is one of the CBS cards, you can watch on broadcast TV instead — no subscription needed.
- Tune in early for prelims. Prelims stream on the same service, so you don't need to juggle apps the way you did in the ESPN/ABC era.
What's true right now (as of mid-2026)
This section covers the time-sensitive stuff — everything above should stay accurate for the long haul.
- Sean Strickland remains an active UFC middleweight; any upcoming bout of his will land on a Paramount+ card. Check UFC.com or his UFC athlete page for his next scheduled fight, since bookings change frequently.
- Paramount+ pricing currently sits around $7.99 (Essential) and $12.99 (Premium) per month, but streaming prices change often — verify before subscribing.
- The CBS simulcast schedule is announced event by event; Paramount publicizes which numbered cards get the broadcast treatment.
FAQ
Do I still need to buy UFC pay-per-views? No — not in the US. As of 2026, numbered UFC events are included with a Paramount+ subscription at no extra charge. The PPV model is gone domestically. (Other countries have different rights deals, so this applies to US viewers.)
Is UFC still on ESPN or ESPN+? No. The UFC's ESPN deal ended after 2025. New events no longer air on ESPN, ESPN+, or ABC. For the fight library and classic events, UFC Fight Pass is the deepest archive.
Can I watch UFC free? Select numbered events simulcast on CBS, which is free with an antenna in most US markets. For everything else, the cheapest legal route is Paramount+ Essential — or a free trial timed to fight night if one's on offer.