You're sitting on your couch, pizza is getting cold, and you're scrolling through Twitter wondering why everyone is already talking about a knockout when your TV still shows a "Coming Up Next" graphic. It happens every single Saturday. Figuring out what time do fights start ufc fans actually care about is surprisingly annoying because the UFC doesn't just have one start time; they have three.
Timing is everything in MMA. If you tune in at 10:00 PM ET for a standard Pay-Per-View, you've already missed six or seven fights. You've missed the "Performance of the Night" contender that happened on the early prelims while you were still at the grocery store. It’s a tiered system that shifts based on whether the Octagon is in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, or London.
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The Three-Tiered Reality of UFC Start Times
Basically, a UFC card is split into three distinct chunks: the Early Prelims, the Prelims, and the Main Card.
For a standard North American PPV event, the Main Card almost always starts at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT). That is the "hard" start time for the fights you're paying $80 for. But the actual event starts much earlier. The Prelims usually kick off at 8:00 PM ET, and the Early Prelims often start at 6:00 PM ET. Wait.
Sometimes the Early Prelims start at 6:30 PM. Or 5:30 PM. It depends entirely on how many fights are booked for the night. If Dana White decides to stack a card with 14 fights instead of the usual 11 or 12, they have to push the start time back to fit them all in. If you want to see the debut of that hyped Dagestani wrestler or the regional champion making his first walk, you better be checking the UFC website or the ESPN+ app about two hours before you think you need to.
Why the Location Changes Everything
Don't get too comfortable with that 10:00 PM start time. When the UFC travels to "Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi, the world turns upside down. Because the UFC wants to cater to the U.S. PPV market, they often make the fighters compete at 4:00 AM local time. However, for non-PPV "Fight Night" events in Abu Dhabi or Europe, they usually cater to the local afternoon or evening.
This means you might wake up on a Saturday morning and realize the Main Card is starting at 2:00 PM ET. Honestly, afternoon fights are a vibe, but they're easy to miss if you're stuck in the 10:00 PM routine.
Where to Find the Fights Without Getting Lost
It's not just about knowing what time do fights start ufc broadcasts also jump between platforms. It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt.
- Early Prelims: These are almost exclusively on UFC Fight Pass or ESPN+. Sometimes they aren't even on TV. If you’re a hardcore fan, this is where the "undiscovered" talent lives.
- Prelims: Usually, these move over to ESPN or ESPN2. If there's a big college basketball game running long, they might even bump the first fight to ESPNEWS. It’s chaotic.
- Main Card: For PPVs, this is ESPN+ PPV only. For Fight Nights, the whole thing usually stays on ESPN+ or the main ESPN cable channel.
I’ve seen people miss the main event because they thought "Main Card" meant the whole thing started at 10:00 PM. Nope. That’s just when the broadcast shifts to the pay-per-view feed. If you want the full experience, clear your schedule starting at 6:00 PM ET.
The "Walking to the Octagon" Delay
Here is a pro tip: the "start time" is the start of the broadcast, not necessarily the first punch.
If the Main Card starts at 10:00 PM, the first fighters likely won't touch gloves until 10:15 PM. There are intros. There are promo packages. There are Bruce Buffer’s legendary introductions. If you’re someone who hates the fluff, you can usually bank on a 15-minute buffer. But don't push it. If a fight ends in a 30-second knockout, the next one comes up fast to fill the TV time.
Dealing with the "Main Event" Guessing Game
One of the most common questions is: "What time is the main event?"
There is no exact answer.
Unlike a football game with a clock, a UFC fight can last 25 minutes or 15 seconds. If every fight on the undercard goes to a decision, the main event might not start until 12:30 AM ET. If it’s a night of first-round finishes, you could see the headliners walking out at 11:45 PM ET.
Generally, for a five-fight main card, the main event usually starts between 12:00 AM and 12:15 AM ET. If you're on the East Coast, grab some caffeine. It’s going to be a long night.
International Fans Have it Rough
If you’re in the UK or Europe, "what time do the fights start" is a question that usually ends in "too late." For a standard Vegas card, the Main Card starts at 3:00 AM GMT. The main event? Usually around 5:00 AM or 6:00 AM.
Most European fans either pull an all-nighter or wake up early Sunday morning and stay off social media to avoid spoilers. It’s a commitment. When the UFC holds events in London (at the O2 Arena) or Paris, the times are much more civilized for locals—usually starting around 6:00 PM local time—which means US fans get a rare "breakfast with fights" experience starting at 12:00 PM ET.
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How to Never Miss a Kick Again
The UFC is notoriously bad at keeping a consistent schedule because of the sheer volume of content they produce. They run events almost every single weekend.
The most reliable way to check the time is to look at the official UFC.com "Events" page about 48 hours before the fight. They will list the "Main Card," "Prelims," and "Early Prelims" in your local time zone.
Another trick? Follow the official UFC accounts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram. They post "Fight Day" graphics that explicitly break down the start times for every tier of the card.
Why Fight Nights Are Different
UFC Fight Nights (the non-PPV cards) are the wildcards. While PPVs have that anchored 10:00 PM ET start, a Fight Night might start at 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, or even earlier. These are often held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Without a live stadium audience to worry about, the UFC is much more flexible with the timing to suit the ESPN broadcast windows.
If there’s a big UFC Fight Night and a major boxing match on the same night, the UFC might even shift their times slightly to avoid a direct head-to-head overlap for the main events. It’s all a chess match for ratings.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Fight Night
Stop guessing and start planning. Here is how you should handle your next Saturday:
- Check the Bout Order: On Friday, after the weigh-ins, check the official bout order. This tells you exactly how many fights are in each block. If there are 6 fights on the prelims, expect that block to take exactly two hours.
- Sync Your Calendar: Apps like "MMA Fight Cards" or even some Google Calendar integrations can automatically push fight times to your phone based on your GPS location.
- Set the "Buffer" Alert: Set an alarm for 15 minutes before the "Main Card" starts. This gives you time to get your stream loaded, fix your snacks, and make sure your internet isn't acting up before the big names walk out.
- Assume 30 Minutes Per Fight: If you only care about one specific fighter who is third on the Main Card, assume each fight (plus commercials) takes about 30 minutes. If the card starts at 10:00 PM, your fighter will likely walk out around 11:00 PM.
The reality of what time do fights start ufc fans often realize is that the "start time" is just a suggestion for the first walkout. Being a fan means being ready for a six-hour marathon if you want to see the whole thing, or mastering the art of the 12:00 AM "is the main event on yet?" text to your friends. Keep your eyes on the official broadcast partner’s schedule, as they are the ultimate authority on when that "Live" light actually turns on.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan
- Download the ESPN+ App: Even if you aren't buying the PPV, the app interface is the most accurate real-time clock for when each specific portion of the card begins.
- Verify the Time Zone: Always double-check if the promotional material is in ET or PT. Missing a fight by three hours because of a time zone mix-up is a rite of passage for every MMA fan—don't let it be you.
- Follow "UFC News" on Socials: They are the first to post if a fight is canceled at the last minute, which often pushes the start times of the remaining fights forward.
By understanding the three-tier structure and the 10:00 PM ET PPV anchor, you can stop stressing about the clock and start enjoying the carnage in the cage.