Paramount+ and the CBS Television Network are set to make history next month as the companies partner with the UFC to bring a live numbered event to broadcast television for the first time. UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 will air Saturday, March 7, from T-Mobile Arena, with Paramount+ serving as the primary distribution platform and CBS presenting a primetime simulcast window.
The event represents a major milestone for both the UFC and Paramount as they continue to expand mixed martial arts beyond traditional pay-per-view and cable destinations.
Paramount+ will stream every bout from UFC 326 in the United States and Latin America, reinforcing its role as the exclusive streaming home of the promotion. 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 before the remainder of the fights return exclusively to Paramount+.
The decision to place UFC action on the CBS broadcast network signals a broader effort to reach casual sports fans who may not regularly seek out MMA programming. For CBS, the event marks its first-ever live UFC broadcast, positioning the network alongside Paramount+ as a central hub for the sport moving forward.
In addition to the live event, CBS will debut a new one-hour special titled THIS IS UFC on Friday, February 20, airing from 8–9 p.m. ET/PT. The program will also stream live and on demand on Paramount+, depending on subscription tier.
The documentary-style special traces the organization’s rise from an underground attraction to a global sports and entertainment powerhouse.
Hosted by UFC reporter Megan Olivi and Survivor winner Dee Valladares, the show features conversations with fighters, rising stars, and UFC President and CEO Dana White. The special also highlights the early success of UFC programming on Paramount+, while offering a forward-looking perspective on the sport’s continued growth.
Both initiatives fall under the first year of a seven-year media rights agreement between Paramount and TKO Group. The deal makes Paramount+ the exclusive home for all UFC events in the U.S. and Latin America, including 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights annually. Select numbered events will also receive broadcast exposure on CBS throughout the year.
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