You’re probably staring at your TV right now, or maybe scrolling through your phone, wondering why the Octagon isn't glowing. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026. Usually, this is the part of the weekend where we’re settling in for a night of 4-ounce gloves and heavy leather. But here is the thing: if you're looking for the ufc fight time saturday, you’ve likely noticed a giant, quiet void on the schedule.
There is no UFC event tonight.
It feels weird, right? Especially since 2026 was supposed to be the "biggest year ever" for the promotion. We’ve been hearing about the massive $7.7 billion Paramount+ deal for months. We’ve seen the promos. We’ve seen Dana White shouting about the "new era" into every microphone within a five-mile radius. But as of today, we are in the middle of a strategic "dark week." The UFC is basically holding its breath before the floodgates open next weekend.
The January 24 Kickoff: UFC 324 Start Times
Since there’s nothing on the mats tonight, all eyes have shifted to next Saturday, January 24. That’s the real launch. UFC 324 isn’t just another pay-per-view; it is the official death of the pay-per-view model as we know it. No more shelling out $80 for a single night of fights. If you have Paramount+, you’re in.
For those planning their watch party for next week, the ufc fight time saturday for UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett breaks down like this:
- Early Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT (Streaming on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass)
- Prelims: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT (Streaming exclusively on Paramount+)
- Main Card: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT (Streaming exclusively on Paramount+)
This event is coming at us live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It’s a massive card, headlined by Justin Gaethje and Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. But the real drama actually happened earlier today, while you were probably checking for fight times.
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The Harrison vs. Nunes Heartbreak
We have to talk about Kayla Harrison. She was supposed to defend her bantamweight title against the legendary Amanda Nunes in the co-main event next week. Nunes coming out of retirement was the story of the year.
Well, earlier today, January 17, Harrison posted a tearful update. She’s out. A neck injury required immediate surgery, and the "grudge match of the century" is officially postponed. It’s a massive blow to the UFC 324 card. Now, we’re looking at Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong moving up in the pecking order to fill that hype gap. Honestly, it’s a bummer, but that’s the fight game. One minute you’re the main attraction, the next you’re in a hospital gown.
Why There’s No UFC Tonight
So, why the empty Saturday? Basically, the UFC is clearing the runway. They are transitioning their entire digital infrastructure to Paramount+. Tonight, while we’re looking for fights, the tech teams are likely stress-testing servers to make sure the stream doesn’t crash when millions of people try to watch Gaethje and Pimblett trade leg kicks next week.
If you’re absolutely itching for combat sports tonight, the UFC might be dark, but the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is picking up the slack. BKFC KnuckleMania VI is happening tonight, January 17, at the Mohegan Sun.
- Start Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Main Event: Julian Lane vs. Dustin Pague
It’s not the Octagon, but if you need to see people getting hit in the face to satisfy your Saturday night ritual, that’s where the action is.
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2026 Schedule: What to Expect After the Break
Once we get past this weekend’s silence, the schedule gets aggressive. The UFC isn't just coming back; they're trying to take over every Saturday night for the rest of the year.
After UFC 324 next week, we head straight into UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 on January 31. That one is happening in Sydney, Australia. Because of the time difference, the ufc fight time saturday for that event will be a bit of a nightmare for US fans, with the main card likely hitting your screen at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday night (which is Sunday morning in Sydney).
Here is a quick look at the February gauntlet:
- Feb 7: UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira (UFC Apex, Las Vegas) – Main Card 9:00 PM ET.
- Feb 14: UFC Fight Night 267 (UFC Apex) – Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a rear-naked choke.
- Feb 21: UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez (Toyota Center, Houston) – Main Card 8:00 PM ET.
- Feb 28: UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Almabayev (Arena CDMX, Mexico City) – Main Card 9:00 PM ET.
How to Handle the "New Era" Streaming
The biggest point of confusion for fans searching for the ufc fight time saturday lately isn't just when it starts, but where to find it. The ESPN+ era is officially over. If you try to log into your old ESPN app next week, you’re going to find a lot of "Page Not Found" errors.
The move to Paramount+ means you need to ensure your subscription is active now. You don't want to be the person trying to reset their password at 8:55 PM ET next Saturday while the main card is walking out. Also, keep in mind that the UFC Fight Pass still exists, but it’s mostly for the early, early prelims and the library of old fights. For the live Saturday night heat, Paramount+ is the only game in town.
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The Verdict on Tonight’s Silence
It’s rare to have a "dead" Saturday in the modern era of MMA. Usually, Dana White has some Apex card running just to keep the content wheel spinning. But tonight’s break is a calculated move. It’s the calm before a very expensive, very loud storm.
Use tonight to catch up on your sleep or maybe watch some tape on Paddy Pimblett. He’s the underdog against Gaethje for a reason, but 2026 has already shown us that the rankings don't mean much once the cage door closes.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Paramount+ login: Make sure you can actually stream content on the device you plan to use next Saturday.
- Set an alert for Jan 24 at 5:00 PM ET: That’s when the first fight of the new era actually starts.
- Keep an eye on the Harrison/Nunes news: There’s talk of rescheduling that title fight for March, possibly at UFC 326.
The Octagon is empty tonight, but next Saturday is going to be chaos. See you then.