The UFC event schedule is back on hiatus once again, starting Saturday with no card to watch for the first time since Thanksgiving weekend—and only the second time all fall (the other being the weekend of Sept. 20). Even though the schedule has paused to cap an unpredictable year, the UFC will return in full force beginning in 2026. It will just be a bit before the fights appear on television screens (or streaming devices) across the U.S.
The December 13 UFC Fight Night event from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas marked the end of a seven-year relationship with ESPN and its streaming service, ESPN+. Once the event went off-air, it officially marked the start of a brand-new, modernized way to watch UFC events live on Paramount+.
For one flat subscription, every UFC event—along with its shoulder programming—will be available to watch live without any additional paywalls. UFC CEO Dana White proudly stated during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on Thanksgiving Day: “No more pay-per-view.”
Under this new model, the promotion remains committed to its traditional scheduling approach. A total of 43 live events (including 13 numbered UFC events) will take place throughout the calendar year.
—
### When Is The First UFC Event in 2026?
The first UFC event of the new year is **UFC 324**, taking place on Saturday, January 24, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event will feature a championship doubleheader.
– The main event will see **Justin Gaethje** face **Paddy Pimblett** for the interim lightweight title, as the undisputed champion **Ilia Topuria** remains sidelined due to ongoing legal issues.
– The co-main event features **Kayla Harrison** defending her UFC Women’s Bantamweight title against **Amanda Nunes**, who is coming out of retirement to attempt to reclaim a title once held by her.
—
### The Rest of UFC’s Q1 Schedule
The UFC schedule is already off and running with eight events announced through the end of March:
– **UFC 325** — Jan. 31, Sydney
– **UFC Fight Night** — Feb. 7, Apex
– **UFC Fight Night** — Feb. 21, Houston
– **UFC Fight Night** — Feb. 28, Mexico City
– **UFC 326** — March 7, Las Vegas
– **UFC Fight Night** — March 14, Apex
– **UFC Fight Night** — March 21, London
– **UFC Fight Night** — March 28, Seattle
Strap in, because the UFC will be back before fight fans lose their patience!
—
### More MMA Knockout News
– UFC makes critical change to benefit MMA fans attending UFC APEX events in 2026
– Is Joshua Van’s next fight set after last UFC rankings update of 2025?
– Ilia Topuria releases one-time statement concerning UFC lightweight title future
– Surging UFC heavyweight prospect makes UFC history after losing 260 pounds
Stick with **MMAKnockout** for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.
https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/when-is-the-first-ufc-card-on-paramount-in-2026-event-schedule-revealed-for-q1