UFC, or the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has become the fastest-growing combat sport due to its unique fighters and events. Since 2018, ESPN and UFC have signed a multi-year agreement giving ESPN exclusive rights to broadcast UFC over various platforms.
Therefore, after subscribing to ESPN+, you can access all UFC events but must pay extra for pay-per-view content. However, after a few weeks, ESPN Plus provides access to all Pay-per-View fights, eliminating the need to pay extra.
Can you Watch UFC on ESPN+?
ESPN+ is the best live sports streaming service for UFC fans. It provides access to UFC fights and original series. ESPN+ provides subscribers with 40 live UFC events yearly, including UFC PPV events and UFC fight nights. Every fight night becomes available with an ESPN+ subscription, while you must pay extra for UFC PPV events. However, all PPV fights become available to subscribers 16 days after the event.
What UFC events can you watch on ESPN Plus?
After subscribing to ESPN+, it gives viewers access to UFC’s second major event, UFC Fight Nights, featuring local fighters. Moreover, UFC PPV requires an additional fee for ESPN Plus subscribers and gives access to early prelims and the main card.
In addition to all the live events, ESPN hosts documentary series and exclusive original UFC-centric studio shows. The following programs are designed for UFC fans and combat sports:
- UFC 25 Greatest Fights
- UFC Destined
- UFC Embedded
- The Ultimate Fighter
- Why We Fight
- Ariel & The Bad Guy
- Dana White’s Contender Series
Besides these programs, ESPN+ provides access to the entire library of fights and on-demand MMA content. Therefore, its library gives you access to UFC past events to watch classic fights or replay recent action. It also highlights mega favorites like The Ultimate Fighter and all 30 seasons of UFC’s premier reality competition series.
Subscription Details for Watching UFC on ESPN+
ESPN+ offers various subscription plans to fit your budget and allows you to switch subscriptions anytime. ESPN currently offers two plans, monthly and annually. A monthly subscription costs $11.99, and an annual subscription costs $119.99/year, saving 16% each year.
ESPN+ gives you access to five simultaneous screens with five concurrent devices. However, only two devices can be used for UFC PPV events and three standard simultaneous streams.
Disney Bundle
There are several bundle options, and prices may vary depending on the plan you sign up for:
- Disney Bundle Trio Basic: At $16.99 monthly, subscribers can access Disney, Hulu, and ESPN+ with promotions.
- Disney Bundle Trio Premium: At $26.99 per month, subscribers get Disney (no ads), Hulu (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads).
Pay Per View
If you have an active monthly or annual ESPN+ subscription, you can purchase UFC PPV live events at $79.99 per event. However, if you are new or on a monthly subscription, you can bundle the annual plan with the next PPV event purchase at a reduced rate of $ 134.98.
What devices can I use to watch UFC on ESPN+?
ESPN Plus offers a straightforward web streaming experience by allowing users to navigate the service’s website and sign up for the platform. In addition to the web browsers, ESPN+ is compatible with the following devices:
Gaming Consoles: ESPN Plus seamlessly supports most gaming consoles, including older PS4 models and Xbox Series X, Series S, and PS5.
ESPN+ App: The ESPN+ app is built for on-the-go streaming on Android, Apple, and Amazon Fire tablets. After downloading the app from the Play Store or App Store, sign up for the service to start streaming UFC events.
The app also seamlessly integrates with streaming devices and smart TVs, such as Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV. However, accessing ESPN on these streaming devices and TVs costs additional fees.
ESPN Plus vs. UFC Fight Pass
Along with ESPN+, the organization has a UFC Fight Pass streaming service that shows UFC content.
| Plan | Price | Sports | Video Quality |
| ESPN+ | $11.99/month or $119.99/year | MMA and boxing | 720p, 1080p |
| UFC Fight Pass | $14.99 for two months or $95.99/year | MMA, boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and more | 720p, 1080p |
Available separately for the same monthly price, UFC Fight Pass offers access to exclusive PPV preliminary fights, UFC fight library, and other combat sports events. However, you will still need ESPN+ for PPV events and exclusive fight nights, but UFC Fight Pass offers an on-demand library of MMA content.
UFC Fight Pass availability is limited in different countries, and its content offerings may vary depending on your location. Furthermore, UFC live PPV main card events are unavailable in the US, and US viewers must wait about a month for event replays after the original event date.
ESPN+ offers a user-friendly interface and provides a smooth experience for live events and PPV event replays. While UFC Fight Pass is good for streaming past MMA events, ESPN+ is essential for watching live fights.
How to Get Started with ESPN+ for UFC
To watch live and past UFC events, you have to subscribe to ESPN+, and here’s the process to sign up for the streaming platform.
Step 1- Go to the ESPN Plus
- Open “ESPN+” from your web browser and click the small “Subscribe to ESPN+ only” link.
- Alternatively, you can download the ESPN+ app from the App Store or Play Store and click “Sign Up” to create an account.
Step 2- Create ESPN+ Account
- Fill out the name and email address from the next screen
- Click “Sign Up” to create your account
Step 3- Choose a Subscription Plan
- Choose your preferred plan and enter the credit card information
- Press the acknowledge button and click “Buy ESPN Plus.”
Step 4- Purchase UFC Events
- From the ESPN+ app, go to the settings and scroll down to subscriptions to purchase UFC PPV events.
Early prelims and prelims are available to all subscribers. Once prelims end, you must purchase UFC PPV events to watch the fight. Moreover, PPV events purchased through ESPN Plus are available through the ESPN app on a supported device. Also, ensure your device is compatible with the ESPN+ app and has a stable internet connection.
How to watch UFC with a VPN
UFC is available for live streaming on ESPN+ and is restricted to the US audience due to broadcasting rights. Many regions offer live streaming through different services, such as you can watch through TNT Sports in the UK. Therefore, VPNs allow viewers to watch all live and exclusive UFC events and here’s the process for watching UFC using a VPN:
- Choose a reliable and safe VPN and install it on your device.
- Sign up to create an account, and it will provide a broad set of locations.
- Click on the VPN to turn it on and set it to the preferred location of streaming service, such as the US for ESPN+ and the UK for Discovery Plus.
- Subscribe to your streaming platform and pay for UFC PPV events to start enjoying the UFC.
Note: Using VPNs is illegal or restricted in multiple countries, and users should be aware of local regulations. Moreover, using VPNs to access region-specific content may violate the terms of use and result in account suspension.
Conclusion
After signing the agreement with UFC in 2019, ESPN+ is essential for numbered PPV events and exclusive UFC fight nights. While ESPN+ is available at the lowest price, UFC pay-per-view events are not included with standard subscriptions. Therefore, you must pay extra to watch them and ensure your device is compatible with the streaming service. ESPN+ offers live combat events to US audiences; thus, VPN is the viable option for seamlessly enjoying fight nights on ESPN Plus.
FAQs
Why can’t I watch UFC PPV on ESPN Plus?
It’s essential to have an active ESPN+ subscription to watch UFC PPV events. However, if you cannot watch them, navigate to your ESPN+ subscription page from your app settings and look for proof of purchase receipt. Additionally, if you purchased UFC PPV through a third-party app store, wait a few hours for purchase validation.
Is UFC free on ESPN+?
With a regular ESPN+ subscription, you can access an on-demand library of UFC programs and UFC live events. However, you have to pay $79.99 per event for UFC pay-per-view events.
How long can you watch UFC PPV events on ESPN+?
After purchasing the UFC PPV events, you will have full, exclusive access to the event replays for up to 15 days after the initial broadcast. Once the required period is complete, all ESPN+ members will have complete access to the PPV event.
What’s the cheapest way to get ESPN Plus?
Since dropping the free trial promotions in 2020, ESPN+ has provided limited discounts and offers to users. The most money-saving option is to subscribe to an annual plan and use the Disney Premium Bundle. However, multiple third-party websites offer discounts, so it’s crucial to check their authenticity.
