Canadian MMA is now in step with the rest of the world as far as being able to see numbered UFC events with the recent shift to Paramount+. The transition process took place amid a prior media rights arrangement with Rogers SportsNet. The numbered cards will now be available on the Paramount+ platform. The aforementioned Rogers SportsNet will still broadcast Fight Night events for the Ultimate Fighting Championship on their platform, though.
To create a deeper context, the numbered events will only show the main card portion on Paramount+, with Rogers SportsNet airing the preliminary bouts of these cards in real time. This is a much-needed amendment for Canadian mixed martial arts fans who had previously been in a bit of limbo. A situation where fans outside of the Great Fight North could catch the numbered events for free, while canucks had to cough up the cash for the numbered events, which had categorically remained pay-per-views for them.
The SportsNet partnership dated back to 2024, in what was arranged then as a multi-year deal with the broadcaster they returned to after a prior 2010’s stint with the Canadian UFC media rights being allocated to the TSN platform in the interim.
Canadian MMA broadcast updates for the UFC have been touched upon by Dana White
In a Thursday press release addressing this recent meaningful shift for Canadian MMA fans and their viewing habits, Dana White said [via Cageside Press],
“Beginning in 2027, Paramount+ subscribers in Canada will get every UFC Numbered Event main card live, at no additional cost. Paramount has been an incredible partner that understands the power of UFC, and together we’re going to make it easier than ever for fans in Canada to watch the biggest fights in the sport. I love Canada and I’m very excited for the fans to be able to enjoy the Paramount experience.”
