ESPN Plus delivers all the must-see sports action to your TV, phone or tablet, so you never miss a game. While it had access to baseball, football and soccer since Day 1, it signed an exclusive deal with the UFC in 2019. That means every Fight Night and numbered PPV event will be available through ESPN Plus, although PPV events will still require payment for access. Below are the details of everything you need to know!
ESPN Plus' exclusive access to big fight action is seen more as a supplement than an actual replacement for ESPN's regular cable service and nevertheless means it's virtually an essential purchase for viewers after a UFC live stream. Read on for the latest information on the exclusive content that UFC ESPN Plus gives you access to, as well as the cheapest way to subscribe to the service.
Which UFC events can I watch on ESPN Plus?
From Conor McGregor to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Amanda Nunes – when the big names in the UFC are in action, it's usually the headline act on one of the big monthly 'numbered' pay-per-view cards.
To view the purchase of these events, you must now be an ESPN Plus customer – more on that later.
In addition to access to PPV events, an ESPN Plus subscription gives viewers access to UFC's second series of events, UFC Fight Nights. Fight Nights are held weekly and take place all over the world, usually featuring up and coming local fighters.
They are quite large and are held in major international locations, with tickets changing hands for hundreds of dollars. If you are an ESPN subscriber, you can watch them live and in full without having to pay an extra cent.
ESPN Plus UFC Schedule 2023:
- UFC296 – December 16
- UFC fight night – January 13
- UFC297 – January 20
- UFC fight night – February 3
- UFC fight night – Feb. 10
- UFC fight 298 – February 17
- UFC299 – 9th of March
Will you get UFC PPV with ESPN Plus?
The terms of ESPN's multi-billion dollar deal with the UFC mean that if you want to attend one of UFC's premium 'numbered' events, you now need an ESPN Plus subscription.
That's right, UFC pay-per-view events are unfortunately not included with a regular ESPN Plus subscription, but you do need an ESPN Plus subscription to purchase PPVs.
UFC pay-per-view events currently cost $79.99 each, with that fee getting you access to early prelims, prelims, and the main card. If you are a new subscriber, you can choose to get a 1-year subscription to ESPN Plus with a single UFC PPV event for $134.98, saving you $60 on your first UFC match.
What other UFC content can I watch on ESPN Plus?
In addition to all the live action from the octagon on offer, ESPN Plus also offers plenty of exclusive, original UFC-themed programming.
It's something of a gold mine for on-demand MMA content, including Dana White's Contender Series, UFC Destined and Ariel & The Bad Guy.
It's also very useful if you missed some of the weekend's action or want to delve into UFC's past, as the huge library gives you access to classic fights plus replays of recent action.
What devices can I use to watch UFC on ESPN Plus?
Tuning into ESPN Plus is easy thanks to the service's wide support for devices from PCs and tablets to smartphones and gaming consoles.
You can watch ESPN Plus in your web browser by to the service's website and register for the service.
ESPN Plus also offers support for most of the latest generation consoles, including PS5 and Xbox Series S and Series X, as well as older machines like all Xbox One models and the PS4 (but unfortunately not the Nintendo Switch).
If you're more of a mobile sports viewer, download the ESPN app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign up for the service there.
Or, if you like the traditional feeling of sitting on the couch to watch the game, ESPN Plus is available on Apple TV, Chromecast and the Amazon Fire TV platform – and now on the Roku platform.
What other sports are shown on ESPN Plus?
Beyond the top-shelf MMA action, the service gives you access to a wealth of exclusive live coverage of a plethora of other sports, including baseball, ice hockey, soccer, basketball and American football.
The streaming service offers viewers every off-market MLS match, in addition to one NHL and MLB game per day during their respective regular seasons.
You can also watch live sporting events such as golf's PGA Tour, top boxing matches and a wealth of international football.
In addition to all the live coverage on offer, ESPN Plus also offers a host of exclusive, original sports programming, with must-see programs such as The Fantasy Show, the critically acclaimed sports analysis series Detail and a wealth of award-winning 30 for 30 documentaries.
What's the cheapest way to get ESPN Plus?
ESPN Plus costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.
Since the ESPN Plus free trial promotion ended, there have been few discounts or offers available from ESPN directly or from partnering cable providers for the streaming service.
However, there is one more important money-saving option that involves ESPN Plus.
Now that ESPN is jointly owned by Disney, the entertainment giant is offering a Disney Plus bundle that lets you get ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, and Hulu for a flexible monthly fee of just $14.99. You can register for the affordable bundle via go to the Disney Plus website here.