What time does UFC 261 start?
The welterweight bout between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal begins at 10 p.m. ET only on ESPN+. The earlier fights can be seen on other channels. The early prelims start at 6 p.m. and air on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The 8 p.m. prelims air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
How to Stream UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal 2
The only way to watch UFC 261 featuring “The Nigerian Nightmare” Kamaru Usman vs Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal live is through ESPN+.
The main fight card is at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 24. UFC 261 is happening at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Many cord cutters already know to sign up for these fights, but here’s a quick primer on how it works. Even if you’re a streaming guru, you’ll want to set up ESPN+ well in advance of the early prelims at 7 p.m.
Once you sign up online, you can activate your ESPN+ account through the ESPN app on Roku and Roku TV, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Google Chromecast and Oculus Go.
You will see your live sports within the menu, including UFC 261. After that, you can kick back and wait for Usman to square off with Masvidal at 10 p.m.
3 Options for Watching UFC 261
You need to have an ESPN+ subscription even if you only want to buy UFC 261. An ESPN+ subscription costs $5.99 per month.
If you don’t have an ESPN+ subscription yet, there are a few different options to consider, especially if you want to save a few bucks.
Option 1: Buy UFC 261 PPV for $69.99 and you’ll automatically be signed up for a month-to-month ESPN+ subscription.
Option 2: You can bundle an annual ESPN+ subscription with UFC 261. The annual ESPN+ subscription saves you 15 percent compared to the regular monthly rate.
Option 3: If you already subscribe monthly to Hulu and/or Disney+, you might want to consider getting UFC 261 with the Disney+ bundle. The Disney+ bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for $13.99 per month. That saves you about 25 percent on all your household streaming compared to paying for them separately. You can easily bundle the fight, and consolidate your subscriptions all at once.
UFC Fight Night and Originals
Now that ESPN+ has the exclusive rights to UFC pay-per-view events, there’s a pretty robust lineup of other MMA shows and events.
- On-demand library of past UFC matches
- UFC Fight Nights
- Dana White’s Contender Series
- Detail from the Mind of Daniel Cormier
- UFC Destined
Is ESPN+ on Comcast or Verizon Fios?
You won’t find ESPN+ in your channel lineup with DIRECTV or a cable TV service such as Comcast, Spectrum or Verizon Fios.
ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service. Other live sports include college basketball, MLB, NHL, top rank boxing, tennis and FA Cup.
A subscription to ESPN+ costs only $5.99 per month, and it basically gives your ESPN app a dramatic upgrade.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016.
Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. You can follow Jim on LinkedIn, YouTube and at X at @james_kimble
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