The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is reportedly set to make a permanent shift to earlier start times for its numbered events, marking a new era in the organization's broadcasting strategy. This move comes as the UFC embarks on a new partnership with Paramount, which will bring a fresh approach to the way these events are presented to fans worldwide.
The recent announcement of UFC 324's lineup, which will take place on January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has sparked curiosity about this potential change. The main card of UFC 324 will commence at 9 p.m. ET./6 p.m. PT, a notable departure from the traditional 10 p.m./7 p.m. start times of pay-per-view events. This shift in timing is expected to be a permanent feature of the UFC's numbered events, according to a report from MMAFighting.com.
However, there are some nuances to consider. The report suggests that international events held in locations like Abu Dhabi, which often start in the morning to accommodate local audiences, may have different start times. Additionally, the start times for the various Fight Night events throughout the year are yet to be determined.
The UFC 324 card features an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, as well as a bantamweight championship defense by Kayla Harrison against Amanda Nunes. This event marks a significant step in the UFC's transition away from the pay-per-view model, with the entire card available through a subscription fee on Paramount+.
One week later, on January 31, UFC 325 will take place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, with the same early start time for the main draw. The event will feature a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, adding to the excitement of this new era in UFC programming.
