How to Watch UFC Fights With a VPN (Free and Pay-Per-View)

If you’ve been searching for ways to watch UFC fights online, you’ve likely come across the term VPN. But what’s the purpose of using a VPN for UFC fights?
It’s all about avoiding blackouts. Some UFC matches aren’t available in your area due to licensing issues. Fortunately, a VPN lets you change your IP address to a region where UFC events are available in full.
With a VPN, you can watch UFC 282: Procházka vs. Teixeira 2 from anywhere in the world. You won’t need to pay for extra streaming services while traveling or living abroad.
Looking for a step-by-step guide on using a VPN for UFC? We’ve got you covered. We’ll also share 5 VPNs that work well for UFC events. Plus, we’ll tell you which one is best for your streaming platform (UFC Fight Pass, ESPN+, BT Sport, etc.).
New to streaming UFC online? Start here. UFC fans who know the ropes can jump straight to our list of the 5 best UFC VPNs and the rest of the guide.
Where to Watch UFC Fights Online?
UFC works with many streaming sites and TV networks to reach fans worldwide. Sites like UFC Fight Pass, ESPN+, BT Sport, and DAZN have rights in certain areas. This means you might see messages like this during blackouts:
“Due to broadcast restrictions, this video is not available within a UFC FIGHT PASS subscription or as a pay-per-view in your region. Please check your local TV listings for viewing information.”
Why is Watching UFC Online So Tricky?
The UFC makes money from licensed partnerships and ads. So, even with UFC Fight Pass in the US, you can’t watch UFC in Brazil or Latin America.
UFC Fight Pass will arrive in Brazil in January 2024. This is after UFC’s deal with Grupo Globo ends. It’s perfect timing for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro! Until then, a VPN is the best way to stream UFC fights.
To find the best UFC VPN providers, we’ve done our research. Here are the top 5 options available today.
5 Best VPNs for Watching UFC Fights Online
We’ve picked VPNs known for their strong unblocking and wide server coverage. You’ll easily find a fast server to watch UFC without buffering issues.
1. NordVPN – Best All-round VPN to Watch UFC
🌐 Website: | nordvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | Panama |
📍Servers/Countries: | 5800+ servers in 60 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Get 68% off + 3 months extra |
NordVPN is the top choice for streaming UFC because of its SmartPlay feature. This smart DNS is built into the VPN. It lets you access exclusive UFC content by hiding your DNS request location.
DNS requests happen when your device asks for a website. Your ISP then gives you the website. This reveals your location to services like UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature masks both your DNS requests and your IP address. With this UFC VPN, you can stream matches as if you were in any licensed location.
It offers over 5,400+ VPN servers in around 60 countries. You can connect to servers in the UK for BT Sport, the US for Fight Pass and ESPN+, or Europe, Canada, or Brazil for DAZN.
The speeds are incredible. We streamed high-quality VODs and tested live streams without any lag.
The VPN works on all major operating systems (PC and mobile). NordVPN also has guides for setting up on routers. You can unblock UFC on smart TVs, Xbox, Roku, and other devices.
Customer support is available 24/7 through live chat. The reps are always helpful. Plus, your subscription is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more details, check out our full NordVPN review.
Pros
- Thousands of lightning-fast and well-optimized servers
- Unblocks all the major streaming sites
- Fully supports Torrenting and P2P
- Strict no-logs policy and RAM-disk servers
- Ad blocker and malware protection features
- Robust security features and military-grade encryption to protect you from DDoS attacks and other online threats
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 6 simultaneous connections
- No free trial
2. Surfshark – Affordable UFC VPN for Android Users
🌐 Website: | surfshark.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | The British Virgin Islands |
📍Servers/Countries: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Save 84% Now! |
Surfshark is a great budget-friendly VPN option. It’s perfect for UFC PPV prices in some areas. It has 3,200+ servers in around 100 countries. This includes the US, UK, and Europe, great for UFC.
While you can’t watch UFC pay-per-view for free, you can find cheaper options worldwide. For example, Saudi Arabia or Egypt for UFCArabia. You’ll find a location to stream UFC fights without lag.
Surfshark has no device limits for any subscription. This means you can secure all your UFC streaming gadgets. It’s perfect for sharing with friends.
Surfshark also offers GPS spoofing on Android. It’s great for catching fights on your smartphone. Surfshark can trick apps like ESPN or UFC about your location.
The VPN is also great for viewing UFC fights on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Linux. They offer 24/7 live chat and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more details, check out our Surfshark review.
Pros
- A very affordable VPN provider
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Ad-blocking feature
- Unblocks streaming platforms
- Ad blocker and malware protection features
- A fast and light WireGuard protocol
- Allows split-tunneling and has a multi-hop VPN feature
- No-log policy and robust security features
- GPS spoofing on Android devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free version
- Does not allow P2P seeding
3. Atlas VPN – Best VPN for UFC with Free Plan
🌐 Website: | atlasvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | United States |
📍Servers/Countries: | 1000 servers in 49 locations |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | 85% OFF + 3 Months FREE! |
Atlas VPN is a top choice for watching UFC online affordably. Its premium plan offers 750 servers in 44 locations. It’s great for streaming in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more.
We suggest Atlas VPN for streaming UFC on DAZN and ESPN+. We tested it with HD UFC VODs and streams and found no slowdowns. It uses the WireGuard protocol for smooth streaming.
Like Surfshark, Atlas VPN lets you connect many devices to one account. Their apps are easy to use on all platforms. You can stream UFC on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire OS, and Linux Ubuntu.
They also have a free plan for light browsing. But, it doesn’t support streaming and only offers 3 locations. It’s worth trying on UFC sites – it’s free!
Premium subscribers get 24/7 live chat support. And, you can get a full refund within 30 days if you want to try other options.
Check out our Atlas VPN review for more details.
Pros
- Very affordable plans and it has a free version
- Fast Speeds
- Helpful against an ISP throttling your connection
- Unlimited device support
- WireGuard protocol, DNS leak protection, and strong security features
- Torrenting-friendly
- Unblocks streaming services
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Limited Linux app
- Based in the US
- Not so many servers
4. PrivateVPN – Free Dedicated IPs for Streaming
🌐 Website: | privatevpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | Sweden |
📍Servers/Countries: | 200 servers in 60 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Save 85% Now! |
PrivateVPN is a great choice for watching UFC. It has 200+ servers in 63 countries. It’s often overlooked by streaming services, but it works well.
We easily unblocked UFC matches on ESPN+ and DAZN with PrivateVPN. It also works with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Streaming speeds are good, considering the price.
While it’s not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, it’s good enough for UFC streams and VODs. That’s all we need from a VPN.
They offer free dynamic dedicated IPs. These IPs aren’t shared, helping you bypass VPN filters on UFC fight providers.
Their apps are easy to use on many platforms. You can stream UFC on up to 10 devices at once. They offer live chat support and a 30-day money-back plan.
Pros
- Supports P2P traffic and allows port forwarding
- Unlimited bandwidth and great speeds
- Unblocks most streaming platforms
- Zero-logging policy
- Free Static IP servers
- A fast and light WireGuard protocol
- 10 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not as many servers as other VPN providers
- No split-tunneling
5. ExpressVPN – Works with All UFC Streaming Sites
🌐 Website: | expressvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | The British Virgin Islands |
📍Servers/Countries: | 3000+ servers in 94 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | +3 months FREE! |
ExpressVPN is a top UFC VPN, with access to 3,000+ high-performance servers in 94 countries. It’s great for streaming UFC and finding cheaper PPV prices.
ExpressVPN is excellent at bypassing geo-blocks, including UFC Fight Pass, ESPN+, DAZN, and BT Sport. Speeds are excellent, thanks to their new Lightway protocol. HD VODs and streams were smooth, even when skipping content.
Their apps are easy to use, with a built-in speed test tool. This tool helps you find the fastest servers for UFC streams.
The VPN works on all popular platforms (both desktops and smartphones). There’s even a router app to get your UFC fix on consoles, smart TVs, and more. This means you won’t hit the 5-device limit, which is pretty low for their above-average pricing.
While more expensive than other alternatives, ExpressVPN delivers on all fronts. You get expert 24/7 live chat as well, plus the usual 30-day money-back policy if you change your mind.
For more details, check out our ExpressVPN review.
Pros
- Works with streaming
- Supports torrenting
- No-logs policy
- TrustedServer technology with RAM-only servers
- Premium security features
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive subscription plans
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
How to Watch UFC with a Free VPN
Watching UFC with a free VPN isn’t the best idea, nor do we recommend it. Free VPNs often can’t get past UFC streaming sites because they’re blocked easily.
Even if you find a free VPN that works, you’ll face other issues.
Free servers are slow, and providers slow them down even more for paying customers. Also, free VPNs usually limit your data to about 5 GB a month. UFC Fight Pass can use up to 4 GB for HD content.
Want to watch a single UFC event for free? Consider a 30-day money-back guarantee from a premium provider (like NordVPN). You can get a month of UFC for free.
This gives you enough time to see what you can unblock. And whether it’s worth paying for. Spoiler alert: it’s worth it for MMA fans.
UFC Without Cable – Different Ways to Watch UFC Online
Cord-cutters have many ways to watch UFC online. Here are the top options:
UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Pass is the top choice for MMA fans. It’s available worldwide, except in Brazil until January 2024. You can get it through monthly/annual subscriptions or PPV events. It offers individual matches and a huge library of past events.
UFC Fight Pass is easy to use and affordable. But, it has two main drawbacks:
- It’s not available in Brazil yet, due to licensing by Grupo Globo. But UFC Fight Pass will arrive in Brazil in January 2024, just in time for UFC 283.
- In the US, you can’t watch live events because ESPN+ has the rights.
But, these issues can be fixed with a good UFC Fight Pass VPN. Just pick a server where Fight Pass works, and you’re set.
Note – You can’t get all PPV events with a monthly or yearly subscription. You’ll need to pay extra for those.
Recommended UFC VPN: NordVPN, Surfshark
ESPN+
ESPN+ has the rights to UFC MMA in the US. It’s a monthly subscription, and PPV events cost extra.
Note that ESPN+ requires a US billing method and a local postal address to subscribe.
DAZN
DAZN is in over 200 countries but only shows UFC in Italy, Germany, and Austria. It needs a local payment method to subscribe.
DAZN used to include UFC PPV fights in your subscription. But now, they charge extra for PPV events, like most services. So, DAZN is no longer the cheapest way to watch UFC online.
Suggested UFC VPN: NordVPN, PrivateVPN
BT Sport
BT Sport has UFC rights in the UK and Ireland. They show PPV and main cards. UFC Fight Pass also has other content like prelims and Featured Bouts.
You need a UK IP to watch, no matter the platform.
Works best with: Surfshark, ExpressVPN
Miscellaneous Services
There are other UFC streaming sites, like:
- Kayo Sports – ESPN’s partner in Australia
- Foxtel – Australia
- Sky Arena – New Zealand
- FuboTV
- Sling TV
- Hulu (with ESPN+)
UFC Fight Pass is the best way to watch UFC without cable. It’s affordable, has a clean site, and the biggest library. Whether you’re a huge fan or just like UFC Fight Night, UFC Fight Pass with VPN is the best choice.
How to Watch UFC With VPN – A 5-Step Guide
Starting to watch UFC events with a VPN is quick and easy. Here’s what you need to know.
Things You Will Need to Bypass UFC Blackouts with VPN
- A desktop computer or a smartphone
- A quality VPN (use NordVPN for the best results)
- A subscription to UFC Fight Pass
Signing up for UFC Fight Pass is easy. Just go to its official website. Choose your plan, enter your details, and you’re set. Keep your login info ready. Sign up after connecting to the VPN.
5-Step Process to Watch UFC Online with VPN
Here’s how to watch UFC without ESPN+ or cable:
First, buy and install a VPN with many servers
Choose a VPN with lots of servers for better UFC access. Also, pick servers close to you for fast streaming. NordVPN is great, with over 5,400 servers in 60 countries.
Next, turn on the VPN and pick a server outside Brazil and the US
UFC Fight Pass won’t be in Brazil until 2024. It also doesn’t show live events in the US. You’ll need an ESPN+ account for those, which might be hard to get without a local payment method.
Then, create an account on UFC Fight Pass
When you register, pick the country that matches your VPN server. Follow the steps and finish the registration. You’ll need to verify your email or phone number.
After that, pay for your subscription with your card
UFC Fight Pass accepts many payment methods, except PayPal. Just use your VISA or MasterCard to pay.
Lastly, watch your first UFC match with the VPN
Once you’re subscribed, start watching UFC content on UFC Fight Pass. Always stay connected to the VPN. Turn on the kill switch in your VPN settings to keep your location safe during internet drops.
Watch UFC Matches on Windows and macOS
Here’s a quick rundown on how to watch UFC online on your PC:
- Download and install a VPN that can unblock UFC (such as NordVPN).
- Run the VPN and log in with your account info.
- Connect to a close-by country that streams UFC (outside the US or Brazil).
- Sign up for a UFC streaming service (UFC Fight Pass works in most places).
- Log into your new account and enjoy the fights.
Stream UFC Fights on iOS or Android Phones
It’s easy to stream UFC events on your smartphone. Here’s what to do:
- Get a working UFC VPN (NordVPN is our top pick for smartphones).
- Download, install, and run the VPN, then log in.
- Select a country that shows the UFC events you want (e.g. Belgium, Germany).
- Download the official UFC app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with your UFC account and password.
- Stream MMA fights to your heart’s content.
VPN alternative for Android: Surfshark has GPS spoofing on Android if you want to take extra steps to get UFC working.
Watch UFC on Smart TVs, Stream Boxes, and Consoles
The best way to watch UFC fights with a VPN is on the big screen. For that, you’ll need to install the VPN on your router so it can work on non-compatible devices. Here’s how to proceed:
- Choose your preferred VPN for UFC streams (NordVPN works excellently on routers).
- Follow the provider’s setup guide for routers. You can find it on their website.
- Choose a server in a country where UFC events aren’t blacked out.
- Connect your streaming device of choice.
- Open UFC Fight Pass or your preferred streaming app
- Start streaming your favorite fights.
Note that this will let you watch UFC on Roku, Amazon FireStick, Apple TV, Xbox, and more.
How to Watch UFC Pay-per-view Fights
UFC pay-per-view fights are almost never available globally on any single service. Depending on which local networks UFC partners up with, your country may appear on the blackout list.
If your local cable networks aren’t airing UFC 282: Procházka vs Teixeira 2 (or future events), here’s how you can watch UFC PPV fights with a VPN:
- Sign up for a VPN that works on UFC streaming sites (NordVPN works best).
- Download and install the provider’s app on your device(s).
- Launch the app and log in with your account details.
- Connect to a VPN server in a region where the UFC PPV event is available.
- You may also need to clear your browser cookies (or use a different browser).
- If you haven’t already, create an account on your UFC streaming site of choice.
- Log into your UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, etc. account and purchase a PPV ticket.
- Grab some popcorn and start watching!
Tip: the closer the VPN server, the better your streaming speeds on UFC Fight Pass (or platform of choice).
How to Stream UFC Using VPN in Any Country
Want to watch UFC in Brazil or live events in the US? Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for a reliable UFC VPN service (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download, install and launch the app. Log in with your credentials.
- Connect to a VPN server in a country with a good UFC selection (such as Germany).
- Ideally, you should clear your browser cookies (or use a different one).
- Create an account on UFC Fight Pass (easiest choice).
- Log in after purchasing a subscription.
- Start watching UFC matches at your leisure.
What to Do if a UFC Stream Is Not Working With VPN
Here are a few ways to fix your UFC stream if it stops working while using a VPN:
- Change VPN servers – UFC streaming sites often block VPN IP’s. Try a different server (ask your provider’s live support for a suggestion).
- Enable the VPN kill switch – this feature stops your internet if the VPN drops. It keeps your true location hidden from UFC, DAZN, etc.
- Perform a leak test – we’ve tested our recommended UFC VPN providers for leaks. Just in case, try out IPLeak and ensure your real location doesn’t appear anywhere.
- Use a freshly installed browser – old browser cookies might show your true location. Streaming UFC with a VPN in a new browser will solve this.
- Restart the streaming app – force quit ESPN+ (or the UFC app you use) and restart it. This usually does the trick.
- Restart your router – connectivity issues might be from your router. Unplug it for 20-30 seconds then plug it back in for a fresh start.
- Contact customer support – let your VPN provider know you’re having trouble streaming UFC. They will check the issue and offer a solution.
- Change VPN providers – if all else fails, try a different VPN. All our options have 30-day money-back plans so you can test them out risk-free.
Similar Articles:
- How to Bypass MLB Blackout Restrictions
- How to Get Around NBA League Pass Blackouts
- Best VPNs for Live Streaming BWF World Championships
Final Thoughts
The UFC PPV scheme is here to stay. DAZN tried to offer PPV events with your subscription. But, top MMA fighters like McGregor earn tens of millions for a few fights, so they dropped the idea.
Now, every UFC streaming service must block PPV events regionally due to licensing. The best way to watch UFC fights is with a reliable VPN. It lets you bypass blocks, whether you’re traveling or in an area without live events.
Try NordVPN for 5,400+ ultra-fast servers in nearly 60 countries. Their SmartPlay feature keeps your location secret from UFC. Surfshark is also a good option for Android smartphones.
Using VPN for UFC FAQ
Got questions about watching UFC PPV or other events with a VPN? Check out the answers below.
How Does VPN Allow Me to Watch UFC Live Streams?
A VPN service masks your real IP address and replaces it with one from an area that has the UFC events you want. This makes you appear as if you are in another country. So, you can access UFC live streams and other exclusive content.
Will My Local Credit/Debit Card Work on UFC Fight Pass?
Yes. For most streaming platforms, your local payment methods will be enough. But, for ESPN+ and DAZN, you might need country-specific payment methods.
Can I Watch UFC With VPN on My Smartphone?
Yes, you can use VPN for UFC on your smartphone. All VPNs listed above have Android and iOS versions too.
What Other Devices Can I Use to Watch UFC With VPN?
You can watch UFC events on your desktop computer, smartphone, smart TV, stream boxes like FireTV and Roku, Apple TV, and more. More info can be found on the official UFC website.
If you want to use a VPN on non-compatible devices, check the provider’s website. They can guide you on setting up a VPN on your router instead.
How Can I Reduce Lag While Watching UFC Events?
Try lowering your video quality (e.g. 720p instead of 1080p). Turn off background apps that use bandwidth. Or, consider upgrading to a better ISP. You can also use a paid VPN and connect to the nearest VPN server location with UFC content.
This will solve connectivity issues. Faulty network pathways can cause slowdowns during streams. Using a VPN forces your data to take a different path, solving the problem.
Can I Watch UFC With VPN for Free?
No. You need a VPN service and a UFC streaming platform subscription to watch UFC events. There are other ways to watch UFC for free, but CyberWaters doesn’t recommend it.
Can I Use a VPN to Watch UFC Legally?
Yes, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to watch UFC content. You just need a valid subscription to a legal UFC streaming site.
Will Watching UFC with VPN Get Me in Trouble?
No, using VPN to watch UFC is not illegal. If the service blocks the VPN’s IP address, just switch to a different VPN server. Or, ask live support for help.
What VPN Service Should I Use for UFC?
CyberWaters recommends using any of the top five VPNs – NordVPN, Surfshark, Atlas VPN, PrivateVPN, or ExpressVPN – for UFC streaming.
I Use a VPN but I STILL Can’t Watch UFC. What Are My Options?
You can watch UFC on TV through cable broadcasting. Try different streaming services or change your VPN provider. UFC also has a YouTube channel with match highlights and MMA content.
🌐 Website: | nordvpn.com |
🏢 Headquarters: | Panama |
📍Servers/Countries: | 5800+ servers in 60 countries |
₿ Accepts Cryptocurrency | Yes |
💸 Deals & Coupons | Get 68% off + 3 months extra |
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