The landscape of UFC broadcasting is on the brink of a significant and possibly permanent shift, driven by its new partnership with Paramount. Many fans and industry insiders are curious — will this new schedule reshape how we experience major UFC events? But here's where it gets controversial: this change in start times might be more than just a scheduling tweak; it could redefine the entire viewing experience.
UFC 324, set to take place at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marks the beginning of a new era in UFC broadcasting, with the official start of their collaboration with Paramount on January 24. One of the most notable adjustments announced is the new main card start time—now kicking off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time / 6 p.m. Pacific Time. This is a full hour earlier than the traditional 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT start time for pay-per-view events. Historically, UFC has experimented with earlier start times, but these changes were usually temporary, and the promotion soon reverted back to the familiar late-night schedule. This time, however, MMA officials have confirmed to MMA Fighting that the earlier start time is here to stay for all major numbered UFC events moving forward.
To understand the significance, it’s important to recall that before, most premium UFC shows launched at 10 p.m. ET, aligning with traditional pay-per-view schedules. There were occasional exceptions, especially for events held in Abu Dhabi, which often began in the early morning or late night to accommodate different time zones. The move to an earlier start time reflects the UFC’s strategic shift to streamline its broadcasts as it transitions to a new streaming model.
Starting January, all UFC events won’t be on traditional pay-per-view but will instead be streamed on Paramount+, with the subscription fee covering the cost of these fights. This move away from pay-per-view is a bold departure that could impact how fans access and consume events. Although UFC has used CBS to broadcast certain fights in the past, the January debut of UFC 324 will only be on Paramount+ in the United States—at least initially.
This change also coincides with the UFC’s calendar shift. The last event on ESPN is scheduled for December 13 at the UFC APEX. Following that, the next event will be UFC 324 on January 24, with UFC 325 happening just a week later in Australia. As it stands, the full schedule for 2025—the regular Fight Night cards and other events—remains undecided, leaving fans eager to see how the new broadcasting approach unfolds.
At the top of the card for UFC 324, fans will witness an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Simultaneously, Kayla Harrison will defend her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in the co-main event. Then, just a week after, UFC 325 will feature featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski returning to action against Diego Lopes in a rematch — a bout that promises to revisit their previous encounter, which Volkanovski won convincingly by unanimous decision.
And this is the part most people miss: this strategic reorganization of start times and streaming platforms could profoundly influence UFC’s future. Will it make the sport more accessible or dilute the excitement? Is the move away from pay-per-view an innovative step forward or a risk for traditional fans who prefer late-night viewing? What’s your take—are these changes a game-changer or just a temporary experiment? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
