Sometimes, nothing can be more irritating to MMA lovers than coming to a big fight night and then finding out that their region doesn't have a stream for it. It is quite common that in case it's a UFC title fight, a Fight Night full of great fights or exclusive prelims, fans would have to turn to platforms like UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+ as these have become the primary way to follow the sport. Still, a lot of fans find that they are suddenly unable to access these services if they are travelling or living in a different country.
Luckily, there are ways in which one can keep up with the fight without missing a beat. You just need a little bit of pre-fight night planning to make sure that your viewing won't be interrupted and that you will be able to watch the content you have paid for anywhere.
Content on streaming platforms is usually not the same across different countries because the broadcast rights keep changing from one region to another. It is a common practice for UFC to sell media rights to various broadcasters globally, who in turn receive the exclusive rights within their respective territories.
This means that a particular service available in the first country might be closed or - for instance - be offering a different selection of content to the second country. To illustrate, ESPN+ is mainly aimed at US viewers, whereas UFC Fight Pass availability and programming depend on local licensing agreements. Reviewing the official UFC Fight Pass website ahead of your trip is an excellent idea to get the update of all subscription choices and features that are supported.
Normally, streaming services get to know your location through your IP address. If a particular service isn't licensed in the country from which you are connecting, you might be blocked even if you have a valid subscription.
In fact, geo-restrictions can stop fans from accessing their favorite content in multiple ways that they don't even realize.
The most common one has to be a person going abroad either for work or on holiday.
The fan may have a working subscription at home only to find out that it is not available at the hotel or temporary accommodation.
Other examples include:
More often than not, such situations shock the fans as up to the very moment of departure, everything was working perfectly.
A little planning in advance might be all the way to avoid most of the disappointments at the time when the major fight takes place.
Make sure to:
In order to prevent last-minute downloads before the main event gets started, it is recommended that you install the real, official ESPN app beforehand.
Besides, if you want to watch from a hotel, airport, or any other temporary location, you should not forget to update your device to have the latest software and a strong internet connection.
Numerous MMA fans who travel frequently tend to always keep an eye on the geo-restrictions, rather than waiting for them to become an issue. The most popular answer, though.
Using a VPN such as Proton VPN is essential; a VPN takes your internet connection through a server in your home country and allows the streaming services to filter this as if you were streaming from your home country.
For the fans who already pay for UFC Fight Pass or ESPN+, this is a good solution for being able to access these services overseas before a big fight night. It's always wise to prearrange everything before the commencement of the event. Checking your link beforehand can prevent you from missing the first fight because you are trying to sort out connection problems.
At the present time, the largest number of streaming services give their users the possibility to enjoy UFC broadcasts even using various devices at the same time.
It really does not matter if you decide to watch on a smart TV, desktop, tablet, or smartphone; preparing yourself by installing the applications and logging into the accounts a little bit earlier gives you more room to enjoy the event instead of waiting for it to start.
Actually, many buyers bring a tablet or cell phone as their second device just in case the hotel Wi-Fi or TV is not at the level of their expectations. Flexibility is the key feature that might separate you from other people when you are staying at a hotel.
Unofficial streams can be really tempting when access to the event is difficult but they often come with low-quality video, in-your-face ads, buffering issues and security risks as well.
Legal services offer you reliable HD streaming, professional commentary replays, archives, and availability of exclusive UFC content that unofficial sites just cannot match. In addition to the UFC main page, which is a platform for official content, the official UFC watch page gives details about other ways people can legally view the matches in their respective areas.
If you have bought a legitimate subscription already, just make sure you can still use it during your travels.
Going abroad and dealing with licensing issues in different regions doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have to miss out on your favourite UFC events. No matter if you are traveling for leisure, working overseas, studying abroad, or just living temporarily in a different country, there are definitely ways for you to be able to watch the fights you are interested in.
By finding out about the availability of broadcasts, getting your devices ready, maintaining your subscriptions, and even getting to the fight venue early to avoid the crowd, you can save yourselves from any disruptions that are not only unnecessary but also infuriating. With everything set and done, the thrill of every fight, the excitement of every knockout, and the glory of every championship win will be with you all the time - wherever in the world you are.