On Saturday, March 7, the UFC will make a significant breakthrough by airing UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 live on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+. The event, held at the T-Mobile Arena, will mark the first time a numbered UFC event is broadcast live on the CBS network, expanding access to mixed martial arts for a wider audience in the United States and Latin America. Paramount+ will be the primary streaming platform, while CBS will offer a primetime simulcast window during key portions of the fight card.
Details of UFC 326 Broadcast Schedule and Platforms
Paramount+ is set to stream the entire UFC 326 event, starting with preliminary fights at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The CBS network will simulcast the final hour of prelims from 8 to 9 p.m. ET, followed by the main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET. CBS will broadcast the first hour of the main card from 9 to 10 p.m. ET before coverage returns exclusively to Paramount+. This partnership aims to widen MMA’s appeal by presenting UFC content on traditional broadcast television in addition to digital streaming.
Coverage begins with the prelims at 7 p.m. ET on the platform, while CBS will simulcast the final hour of the prelims from 8–9 p.m. ET. The main card follows at 9 p.m. ET, with CBS carrying the opening hour from 9–10 p.m. ET.
Strategic Significance of UFC’s Presence on CBS Network
The decision to feature UFC on CBS highlights an effort to engage casual sports viewers who might not typically follow mixed martial arts programming. For CBS, this marks its inaugural live UFC broadcast, aligning the network with Paramount+ as a central source for UFC content going forward. The collaboration falls under a seven-year media rights deal between Paramount and TKO Group, making Paramount+ the exclusive streaming home for all UFC fights in the U.S. and Latin America. This agreement includes 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually, with select events periodically airing on CBS.
Pre-Event Programming and Insightful UFC Documentary
In addition to live coverage, CBS will premiere a new one-hour special titled THIS IS UFC on Friday, February 20, airing from 8 to 9 p.m. ET/PT. This documentary-style program will also be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing on Paramount+, depending on subscription levels. Hosted by UFC reporter Megan Olivi and Survivor winner Dee Valladares, the special explores the UFC’s evolution from an underground spectacle to a worldwide sports powerhouse. It includes interviews with top fighters, emerging stars, and Dana White, the UFC President and CEO, providing insight into the sport’s history and future trajectory.
Paramount+ and CBS will partner to air UFC 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2, LIVE on Saturday, March 7, marking the first UFC event ever to appear on the broadcast network.
Implications for UFC and Sports Broadcasting Landscape
This historic broadcast partnership between CBS and Paramount+ signals a pivotal moment for the UFC as it broadens its reach beyond traditional pay-per-view and cable platforms. Bringing UFC 326 to network television could attract new viewers and increase mainstream acceptance of mixed martial arts. For CBS, the event represents a strategic move into a popular combat sport, positioning it as a critical player in sports media alongside Paramount+. Moving forward, this collaboration may lead to more UFC events appearing on broadcast television, expanding the sport’s visibility and fan base throughout the United States and Latin America.
Paramount+ and CBS will partner to air UFC 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2, LIVE on Saturday, March 7, marking the first UFC event ever to appear on the broadcast network. pic.twitter.com/uKjpPQdpAR
— Paramount UFC (@paramountufc) February 10, 2026
