You’re sitting on the couch, snacks ready, and you realize the old routine doesn't work anymore. For years, we all knew the drill: 10 PM ET for the main card, open up the ESPN+ app, and get ready to shell out eighty bucks for a pay-per-view.
But everything just changed.
The UFC officially entered its "Paramount Era" this month. If you're asking ufc what time does it start today, the answer depends entirely on whether you're looking for the early prelims or the main event, and honestly, the clock has moved. The days of waiting until nearly midnight for the headliners to walk out are mostly over, at least for the U.S. audience.
The New Standard Start Times
Starting with the massive UFC 324 card—Gaethje vs. Pimblett—the promotion has shifted its entire broadcast schedule. The UFC and Paramount+ have decided that "earlier is better" to capture a wider audience.
Basically, the main cards now kick off at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT).
This is a full hour earlier than the traditional 10 PM slot we've been used to for decades. Why the change? It’s all about the new streaming deal. Paramount+ is now the exclusive home for the UFC in the United States, and they’re treating these events like premier Sunday night movies or NFL games. They want the main event wrapped up before the East Coast falls asleep.
Here is how a typical Saturday looks now:
- Early Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
- Prelims: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
- Main Card: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
Wait, where is the Pay-Per-View?
This is the part that still feels weird to say: Pay-per-view is dead. If you have a Paramount+ subscription (even the Essential tier, though many prefer the ad-free Premium), you get the numbered events included. No more $79.99 charges every month. It’s a massive win for the wallet, but it means you have to make sure your app is updated and your subscription is active before the cage door locks.
UFC What Time Does It Start for Fight Nights?
While the big "numbered" events have moved to 9 PM, the Fight Night events (the ones that used to be on ESPN or Apex-based) are a bit more fluid. Usually, these still aim for a 7:00 PM ET main card start time, with prelims starting as early as 4:00 PM ET.
I’ve noticed that if the UFC is traveling—say, to London or Abu Dhabi—those times go completely out the window. If they're in the UK, you might be watching the main card at 4:00 PM ET on a Saturday afternoon. It’s always worth double-checking the specific event's location because "local time" is the ultimate boss of the schedule.
International Time Zone Cheat Sheet
If you aren't on the East Coast, keeping track of the 9 PM shift can be a headache. Here’s the breakdown for the major zones:
- Pacific Time (PT): Main card starts at 6:00 PM. Perfect for dinner and a fight.
- Central Time (CT): 8:00 PM start. You’re right in the sweet spot.
- Mountain Time (MT): 7:00 PM start.
- UK (GMT): This is where it hurts. A 9 PM ET start means the main card begins at 2:00 AM Sunday morning for fans in London.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
The biggest mistake fans make is timing the "Main Event" walkouts. Just because the main card starts at 9:00 PM ET doesn't mean the headliners are fighting then.
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Usually, there are five fights on a main card. Each fight, including introductions and commercials, takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you only care about the main event—like the Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 rematch—you should aim to be in front of your screen by 11:15 PM ET. If the undercard fights end in quick first-round knockouts, that time can move up fast.
Don't be the person who tunes in just to see the winner getting their hand raised.
Factors That Can Delay the Start
Live sports are messy. Even with a strict broadcast window on Paramount+, things happen.
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- The "Blood Cleanup": It sounds grim, but if a preliminary fight is a literal war, the crew has to sanitize the canvas. This can cause 5-10 minute delays.
- Technical Glitches: We saw some of this during the first few weeks of the Paramount transition. Buffering issues or app crashes can occasionally push back the start of a specific bout.
- Long Decisions: If every single fight on the prelims goes to a 15-minute split decision, the main card might be slightly delayed, though the UFC usually has "swing fights" ready to keep the broadcast on track.
Pro Tips for Watching in 2026
If you're serious about not missing a second, you've got to adapt to the new tech.
First, get the Paramount+ app on your TV, not just your phone. The bitrate for live sports is much better on dedicated streaming hardware like an Apple TV or a Roku. Second, keep an eye on the "UFC Fight Pass" app for the early, early prelims. Sometimes the very first fights of the night—the ones featuring the hungry newcomers—still live there before the main broadcast kicks in.
Honestly, the 9 PM shift is the best thing to happen to MMA fans in years. You get the same high-level violence, but you actually get to wake up on Sunday morning feeling like a human being instead of a zombie.
To make sure you're ready for the next event, verify your Paramount+ login now and set a recurring calendar alert for 9:00 PM ET on Saturdays so the new start time becomes second nature.