- ESPN+ is ESPN's new sports streaming service that provides unlimited streaming and original content, exclusive in-depth analysis, and more.
- It costs $5 a month, $50 annually, or $13 a month if bundled with Hulu and Disney Plus.
- New subscribers can choose to add an exclusive UFC pay-per-view event with an annual subscription for $85, or existing subscribers can pay $65 for each match.
- The next event is UFC 246 with Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone on January 18.
- See also: A full price breakdown for ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+ — here's everything you need to know
All UFC fights are now only available via pay-per-view (PPV) exclusively through ESPN+, ESPN's new streaming platform.
Previously, fans could order PPV events through UFC.tv or their cable and satellite providers, but now, ESPN+ is the sole gatekeeper for watching UFC cards live. In short, you can not watch UFC without an ESPN+ subscription.
Keep reading for a full breakdown on how to watch UFC fights via ESPN+.
How to watch UFC PPV events on ESPN+
Sign up for an ESPN+ plan or log in to your existing account and get access to PPV when a match goes live; the page will update to reflect the upcoming major PPV event. The next big match is UFC 246 with Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone on January 18.
After you've paid for the event, you'll be able to watch through the ESPN app on any device or through your web browser. You can watch on up to three devices simultaneously too, so don't sweat taking a break mid-round.
What is ESPN+ and why do I need it?
ESPN+ is ESPN's new streaming service that offers sports fans access to exclusive streaming content, live sports events, and analysis from ESPN writers previously included in the paid Insider subscription.
It's also the exclusive spot to live stream UFC PPV events, so if you want to watch any UFC matches, you'll need to subscribe to ESPN+.
How much does UFC cost on EPSN+?
On its own, ESPN+ costs $5 per month or $50 annually, or you can plunk down $13 per month to get a bundle package of ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+. You can read the complete cost and channel breakdown of the ESPN+ bundles over here.
UFC fans will want to go with the UFC bundle. For new ESPN+ subscribers, you'll get a full year of ESPN+ and one UFC PPV event for $84.98. Prior to ESPN+, single UFC games were $65 to stream, so this is a $30 savings compared to buying the two separately.
Alternatively, for existing ESPN+ subscribers, a single match costs $65 for each event.
What else to know for MMA fans
ESPN+ offers a sizable selection of MMA and UFC-focused content, so it's likely a worthwhile investment for fans even without considering the PPV requirements. There are original series, talk shows with analysis, replays of big fights, and live streams of press conferences. The interface is easy to use too — you can search for content based on popular fighters and playlists featuring iconic bouts from the past. ESPN+ also offers some boxing content if that's your jam.
You can view the upcoming schedule of UFC events here. Keep in mind that some of the events' preliminary matches are aired on ESPN or ESPN2, which are not included with an ESPN+ subscription and must be accessed via a cable, satellite, or streaming service.
Read more about ESPN+ on Insider Picks:
- ESPN+: Everything you need to know about ESPN's streaming service
- A full price breakdown for ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+ — here's everything you need to know
- Here's a breakdown of the very best ESPN+ originals, including series and films exclusive to the streaming platform
- 15 must-see '30 for 30' sports documentaries streaming on ESPN+
- ESPN+ review: The streaming service offers a lot for $5 a month, but its real value boils down to your tastes in sports