You’re staring at your phone, scrolling through social media, seeing the weigh-in clips and the trash-talk highlights, and there is only one question that actually matters: what time fight tonight? If you’ve ever missed an opening bell because you forgot to account for the difference between "main card" and "prelims," or because you’re living on the wrong coast, you know the frustration. It’s annoying. Honestly, it’s the worst part of being a combat sports fan. The schedules are a mess. Promotions change their start times based on venue locations, and the gap between the walkouts and the actual punching can feel like an eternity.
Let’s get the immediate answer out of the way for the major cards happening this Saturday, January 17, 2026. For the big UFC Fight Night at the Apex, the main card kicks off at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT). If you are looking for the prelims, those start much earlier, usually around 7:00 PM ET. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got a massive regional boxing circuit tonight and some overseas PFL action that might have already started depending on when you’re reading this.
Breaking Down the UFC Schedule: Why the Main Card Time Lies to You
When people ask what time fight tonight specifically regarding the UFC, they usually mean the main event. Here’s the catch. If the main card starts at 10:00 PM ET, you aren't seeing the headliners until at least midnight. Maybe 12:15 AM if the undercard fights go to a series of grueling five-round decisions.
The UFC Apex in Las Vegas has a specific rhythm. Because there is no massive live crowd to manage, the transitions between fights are incredibly fast. Unlike a stadium show in London or New York, the Apex cards fly by. If you tune in at 11:30 PM thinking you’ll catch the co-main, you might already be watching the post-fight interviews. It’s a weird paradox.
Wait.
Don't forget the "Early Prelims." These are the fights tucked away on UFC Fight Pass. Usually, these start at 6:00 PM ET. These are the hungry prospects, the guys fighting for their spot on the roster. Sometimes these are the most violent fights of the night because the stakes are "win or get cut." If you're a hardcore fan, your night starts at 6, not 10.
Boxing Timelines: The Art of the Long Wait
Boxing is different. Boxing is a test of patience. If you’re checking what time fight tonight for the Top Rank or PBC cards, take whatever time is on the poster and add an hour. It’s just how the industry works.
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For tonight’s headlined boxing match—let’s look at the lightweight scrap in New York—the broadcast begins at 9:00 PM ET. However, the "ring walks" for the main event are tentatively scheduled for 11:15 PM ET. Boxing promoters love to fill the airtime with video packages, slow-motion replays of previous knockouts, and "expert" panel discussions that usually say the same three things.
If you want to see the main event and nothing else, set an alarm for 11:00 PM. But honestly? You’ll miss the best part. The chief support bouts—the fights right before the main event—are often where the upsets happen.
Time Zone Conversion Table (The Mental Math Saver)
- Eastern Time (ET): Main Card 10:00 PM / Main Event ~12:00 AM
- Central Time (CT): Main Card 9:00 PM / Main Event ~11:00 PM
- Mountain Time (MT): Main Card 8:00 PM / Main Event ~10:00 PM
- Pacific Time (PT): Main Card 7:00 PM / Main Event ~9:00 PM
If you are in the UK, God bless you. You’re looking at a 3:00 AM start for the main card and a 5:00 AM alarm for the main event. Bring coffee. Lots of it.
The PFL and Bellator Crossover: A Different Beast
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has been messing with the traditional Saturday night slot lately. They’ve been leaning into Friday nights and international "European Series" cards. If you’re looking for PFL tonight, double-check that you aren't looking at a tape delay.
One of the biggest complaints from fans is when a fight is "spoiled" because the social media account of the promotion posts the result before the "scheduled" broadcast time in the US. This happens a lot with cards in Saudi Arabia or Paris. If the fight is in Riyadh, the main card usually starts around 2:00 PM ET. If you wait until tonight to watch, you’re essentially watching a replay. Be careful out there. Social media is a minefield for spoilers.
Why the "Walkout Time" is the Only Metric That Matters
You’ve probably seen the term "Ring Walk" or "Walkout Time." This is the actual moment the fighter leaves the locker room, their music hits, and they start the long walk to the cage or ring.
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Typically, for a five-round UFC main event:
- Introduction and Anthems: 5-7 minutes.
- The Walkout: 3 minutes per fighter.
- Bruce Buffer/Jimmy Lennon Jr. Intros: 4 minutes.
- The Actual Fight: Anywhere from 13 seconds to 30 minutes.
So, when you see "Main Event at 12:00 AM," the first punch isn't actually landed until about 12:15 AM. Use that buffer wisely. It's the perfect time to grab more wings or hit the bathroom.
Streaming vs. Cable: Does it Change the Time?
It sorta does. If you’re watching on a streaming service like ESPN+ or DAZN, there is often a "latency" or delay. This can be anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes behind the live action.
If you are following a live betting app or a Twitter (X) feed while watching a stream, you will get spoiled. You’ll see "OH MY GOD KO!" on your phone while the fighters on your TV are still touching gloves. It ruins the vibe. If you’re streaming, put the phone face down. Seriously.
How to Stay Updated Without Going Crazy
The landscape of combat sports changes fast. Main events fall through at the last minute because of weight-cutting issues or "undisclosed injuries." Just last month, we saw a main event change three hours before the prelims started.
To stay on top of the question what time fight tonight, you should have three specific tools in your belt:
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- Tapology: This is the gold standard for MMA schedules. It lists every regional and major card globally.
- BoxingScene: For the "Sweet Science," they have the most accurate ring-walk estimates.
- The Promotion's Twitter/X Feed: They will post "Live Now" or "Up Next" in real-time.
The Final Checklist for Tonight’s Fights
Don't be the person asking in the group chat "who's fighting?" five minutes after the main event started.
First, confirm the coast. Vegas is three hours behind New York. Most promoters list times in ET, but if you’re looking at a local casino’s website, they might be using local time.
Second, check the "Bout Order." Sometimes a "Main Card" fight gets moved to the "Prelims" because of a television window conflict. This happens more than you’d think.
Third, verify the platform. Is it on "Big" ESPN, or is it hidden behind the ESPN+ paywall? Is it a PPV (Pay-Per-View) or a standard broadcast? Tonight’s UFC card is a standard ESPN+ broadcast, meaning no extra $80 fee, which is a nice break for the wallet.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight:
- Sync your clocks: If you are on the West Coast, the UFC Main Card starts at 7:00 PM. If you’re East Coast, it’s 10:00 PM.
- Pre-load the app: If you're using ESPN+, DAZN, or PPV.com, log in now. Don't wait until 9:59 PM to find out you forgot your password or need a system update.
- Check the "Lineup Changes": Look at the official UFC or Boxing promoter social media accounts 30 minutes before the first fight to see if any bouts were canceled due to weight-misses.
- Set the "Main Event Alarm": For the UFC main event tonight, set an alarm for 11:50 PM ET. That gives you enough time to settle in before the walkouts begin.
- Mute the spoilers: If you aren't watching live, mute keywords like "UFC," "KO," and the fighters' names on your social media apps to avoid seeing the result before the replay.