The UFC's New Dawn: Early Start Times for Numbered Events
The UFC is set to revolutionize its broadcasting strategy, marking a new era with earlier start times for all its numbered events. This shift is a significant departure from the traditional 10 p.m./7 p.m. pay-per-view start times, with the upcoming UFC 324 event paving the way.
The Las Vegas-based promotion, in collaboration with Paramount, has announced a series of high-profile fights for UFC 324, which will take place on January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena. One of the key changes is the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET./6 p.m. PT, a move that could potentially set a precedent for future events.
According to MMAFighting.com, this new start time is likely to become permanent for all numbered events. However, there's a twist: international events in places like Abu Dhabi might still have morning start times to cater to local audiences. The report also leaves questions about the start times for the UFC's Fight Night events, which are held throughout the year.
UFC 324's main event features an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, while the co-main event sees Kayla Harrison defend her bantamweight crown against Amanda Nunes. As the promotion transitions away from the pay-per-view model, the card will be accessible through a subscription fee on Paramount+.
One week later, on January 31, UFC 325 will take place in Sydney, Australia, with the same early start time. The event's main attraction is a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
This new era of early start times is a significant change for UFC fans, and it remains to be seen how it will impact viewing habits and international audiences. The question of whether this shift will be permanent or subject to change for specific events is a fascinating one, and it's sure to spark discussions among fans and analysts alike.
