Honestly, trying to figure out the exact minute a fighter’s glove touches the canvas is like trying to predict a Bruce Buffer introduction length—it varies. If you're asking what time does the ufc fight start tomorrow, you're probably looking for a quick answer so you can order the wings and get the beer cold.
But here is the catch. Tomorrow, January 17, 2026, the Octagon is actually dark.
I know, it's a bummer. After years of the UFC flooding every single weekend with "Apex" cards, they've shifted the strategy a bit for this massive 2026 kickoff. We are currently in the "lull before the storm" as the promotion gears up for its monumental debut on Paramount+.
The wait is almost over, though. Next Saturday is the real deal.
What Time Does The UFC Fight Start Tomorrow? (The Schedule Shift)
The short answer for tomorrow, Saturday, January 17: There is no live UFC event.
The long answer? The UFC is taking a breath before UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett lands on January 24. While it might feel weird to have a Saturday night without Joe Rogan or Michael Bisping yelling in your ear, the organization is busy setting up the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas for what many are calling the biggest pivot in MMA broadcasting history.
If you were really hoping for some combat sports tomorrow, you aren't totally out of luck. BKFC 86 is happening at the Mohegan Sun. That one starts at 6:00 PM EST, featuring Julian Lane and Dustin Pague. It’s not the Octagon, but if you need a violence fix, that’s your best bet.
Looking Ahead to UFC 324
When the action finally returns next week, the timing is going to look a little different because of the new streaming deals. Since you're likely planning your life around what time does the ufc fight start tomorrow in a general sense for the next big one, mark these down for the January 24th return.
The Early Prelims will kick things off at 5:00 PM EST (2:00 PM PST). You can catch these on the usual suspects: UFC Fight Pass and Paramount+.
The regular Prelims move the needle at 7:00 PM EST (4:00 PM PST).
The Main Card—the one everyone is screaming about—starts at 9:00 PM EST (6:00 PM PST).
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The Gaethje vs. Pimblett Factor
Why the hype? Well, Justin Gaethje is basically a walking car crash in the best way possible. Every time he fights, someone's career longevity takes a hit. Pairing him against Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett for an interim lightweight title is a chaotic choice by Dana White, but it's one that will move the needle.
Pimblett has been the UFC’s golden boy in the UK, but Gaethje is the ultimate litmus test. Can Paddy handle the leg kicks? Probably not, but we’re all going to watch to find out.
The Return of the Lioness
The co-main event is arguably even more significant. Amanda Nunes is coming out of retirement. She’s jumping straight into a shark tank against Kayla Harrison. This isn't just a "fun" fight. It’s a legacy fight.
Kayla Harrison has been steamrolling everyone since she joined the UFC, and seeing if the "G.O.A.T." still has the timing to stop that judo-heavy pressure is the reason people pay for these subscriptions. Speaking of subscriptions, the Paramount+ era is officially beginning with this card, which means the old ESPN+ PPV model is finally being phased into this new "all-in" streaming format.
Where to Watch and What to Expect
Since there isn't a fight tomorrow, you have exactly seven days to figure out your Paramount+ login. As of yesterday, January 15, they actually bumped the prices slightly, which has a lot of fans on Reddit (especially r/MMA) pretty annoyed.
- Standard Paramount+ is now roughly $90 annually.
- The Premium (Showtime) version is sitting at $140.
It’s still cheaper than buying twelve $80 pay-per-views a year, but the sudden hike right before the Gaethje fight definitely left a sour taste in some people's mouths.
Time Zones Matter
If you are watching from across the pond or down under, the "tomorrow" start time changes drastically. For the UK fans, the main card for UFC 324 won't even start until 2:00 AM GMT on Sunday morning. Our friends in Australia usually get the main card around 1:00 PM AEDT on Sunday afternoon.
Actionable Next Steps
Since you don't have a UFC fight to watch tomorrow, here is how you should spend your time to be ready for the January 24th return:
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- Check your subscription: Sign into Paramount+ now. Don't be the person trying to reset their password at 8:55 PM next Saturday while the main card intro is playing.
- Watch the "Countdown" show: The UFC usually drops their high-production "Countdown" videos on YouTube about 5-6 days before the fight. It’ll give you all the context you need on the Gaethje vs. Pimblett beef.
- Scout the BKFC card: If you need live sports tomorrow, January 17, check out the BKFC 86 lineup. It’s a different vibe, but it fills the void.
- Set a Calendar Alert: Set your notification for January 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM EST. That is the hard start for the UFC 324 main card.
The "what time does the ufc fight start tomorrow" question might result in a quiet Saturday this time around, but the schedule for the rest of Q1 2026 is absolutely packed. We have Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 in Sydney just one week after the Gaethje fight. The UFC is making up for lost time, and starting next weekend, the pace is going to be relentless.