Las Vegas became the launchpad for Paramount+'s new venture into the world of mixed martial arts as UFC 324 marked the debut of UFC on the streaming platform on a glittering Saturday night. High-profile names across the entertainment and sports spheres congregated at the T-Mobile Arena to witness the event, which incidentally doubled as a spotlight for actors and UFC stars alike to tease their upcoming projects. Phil Keoghan, known for his enduring run as host of "The Amazing Race," informed 8 News NOW about the completion of Season 39, and he shares plans about the seminal 40th season's march towards "1 million miles, 100 countries, and 25 years." Morris Chestnut, the lead of "Watson," directed fans to expect an infusion of romance and humor come March 2026 when the series returns.
Shifting gears to the fight card of the night, Justin Gaethje faced off against Paddy Pimblett in a spine-tingling interim lightweight championship bout. Both fighters aimed to temporarily fill the championship void left by Ilia Topuria's break from the sport. Gaethje, with a reputation for being an electrifying presence in the octagon, expressed to CBS Sports his readiness to embrace the underdog status. "I'm happy to be fighting someone so confident with so much momentum behind them because one thing you must understand in this game is, I don't care how confident you are, you better be perfect," Justin Gaethje told CBS Sports. Further frills in the fight roster saw match-ups like Jean Silva against Arnold Allen and Rose Namajunas taking on Natalia Silva, among others, setting the stage for a night of intense matchups.
The Paramount+ subscription has just got a whole lot sweeter for fight fans, with every live UFC event now being part of the deal. Say goodbye to additional pay-per-view fees because Paramount+ integrates UFC numbered events, UFC Fight Nights, and a trove of archival UFC content into its subscription plans. The plans also extend beyond the octagon to include programming from CBS, Nickelodeon, and other popular networks, with the service boasting over 40,000 episodes and films within its library.
For those ready to jump into the UFC action on Paramount+, options are plentiful and tech-friendly. The platform is compatible across a myriad of devices, including but not limited to iOS and Android devices, gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, and various smart TVs. The CBS collaboration also means that select UFC events will be broadcast live on television via local CBS stations, seamlessly blending streaming and traditional watching experiences. For full details about device support and the streaming service's capabilities, fight enthusiasts can head over to the Paramount+ FAQ page.
With the full integration of UFC into Paramount+'s offerings, fans have much to look forward to in 2026. With already three UFC-numbered events and six UFC Fight Nights announced for the first three months, the lineup is shaping up to be an exciting year for Paramount+ subscribers and UFC aficionados. Whether looking to watch the blow-by-blow action live or catch up on fight history and legend series, Paramount+ has thrown a significant punch in the streaming wars.
