You're sitting there, wings getting cold, staring at a mid-tier featherweight bout that’s going the distance. You just want to know when the headliners are actually going to walk. Finding the ufc main event time is a weirdly frustrating science because the UFC loves to say the "Main Card" starts at 10 PM ET, but we all know that's a lie.
Well, not a lie, but a technicality.
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If you tune in at 10 PM, you’re watching the first of five fights. If those fights are finishes, you’re in luck. If they all go to the judges? You're looking at a very late night. For the big numbered events like the upcoming UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett on January 24, 2026, the walkouts for the main event usually don't happen until roughly 12:15 AM ET (9:15 PM PT).
The Math Behind the Walkout
UFC cards are built like a slow-burning fuse. You’ve got the early prelims, then the regular prelims, and finally the main card. In 2026, the broadcast landscape changed a bit. Most of these fights are now hitting Paramount+ instead of the old ESPN+ PPV model, but the pacing remains identical.
A standard main card has five fights. Each non-title fight is three rounds of five minutes. Add in a minute of rest between rounds, and that's 17 minutes of "fight time." But wait. You have to factor in the fighter walkouts, the Bruce Buffer introductions, the post-fight interviews, and those endless promos for the next "massive" card.
Basically, each fight on the main card takes about 30 to 40 minutes of real-world time.
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If the main card starts at 9 PM ET (a common start time for many 2026 Fight Nights), the main event usually begins around 11:30 PM ET. If it's a major numbered event starting at 10 PM ET, you’re pushing past midnight. Honestly, if you only care about the headliners, setting an alarm for two hours after the main card start time is the safest bet to avoid the filler.
Why 2026 Changed Everything for Viewers
Things used to be simpler when everything was on one app. Now, with the Paramount+ deal in full swing, the ufc main event time can feel a bit more variable depending on where the event is held. For example, UFC 325 in Sydney has a main card starting at 9 PM ET, but because of the time difference in Australia, the fighters are actually competing in the morning locally.
The UFC 326 event in March (Holloway vs. Oliveira 2) is back in Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena. For that one, the schedule is sticking to the "Vegas Standard":
- Early Prelims: 5 PM ET
- Prelims: 7 PM ET
- Main Card: 9 PM ET
- Main Event Walkout (Estimated): 11:45 PM ET
It’s worth noting that the "Main Event" isn't just the last fight anymore; it's a protected 25-minute window. Even if it's not a title fight, the UFC has made it a rule that all main events are five rounds. This adds a level of unpredictability to your bedtime. A quick first-round knockout means you’re in bed by midnight. A five-round war like the Gaethje classics? You’ll be seeing the sunrise in some time zones.
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Stop Trusting the Countdown Clock
Have you ever noticed the countdown clock on the broadcast? It's almost always wrong. That clock is designed to keep you on the couch so you see the advertisements for Modelo and Monster Energy.
The real way to track the ufc main event time is to watch the "Fights Remaining" graphic in the corner of the screen. If you see "2 Fights Left" and it’s 11:15 PM, you know the main event is still at least 45 minutes away.
Actionable Tips for Fight Night
If you're trying to plan a watch party or just don't want to waste your whole Saturday night, here is the breakdown of how to actually time your viewing:
- The 90-Minute Rule: The main event almost never starts sooner than 90 minutes after the main card begins. If the main card starts at 10 PM, don't even bother checking the TV before 11:30 PM.
- Check the "Over": If the card is full of grappling-heavy fighters (think the Merab Dvalishvili types), the fights are more likely to go to a decision. Expect the main event to start 15-20 minutes later than usual.
- Follow Live Journalists: Guys like Kevin Iole or the MMA Fighting staff on X (formerly Twitter) usually post "Main event walkouts next" about 10 minutes before it happens. It’s the best "live" alert you can get.
- Paramount+ Buffer: If you’re streaming on Paramount+, remember there’s often a 30-second to 1-minute lag compared to the live arena. Don't look at your phone if you have friends texting you from the venue.
Keep an eye on the location. When the UFC goes to London (like the March 21 Fight Night), the main card starts at 4 PM ET. That means the main event happens around 6:30 PM ET. It’s a rare chance for East Coast fans to actually eat dinner while watching a title fight instead of a 1 AM snack.
To stay on top of the exact timing for this weekend, open the Paramount+ app and look for the "Live" section about two hours before the listed start time. This will give you the most accurate pre-fight show schedule.