Apple's Sports app is adding mixed martial arts coverage, giving UFC fans a second screen for live fight data. The company said the app will carry live updates from UFC events, beginning with this Saturday's UFC 334 card. That event includes two title bouts. Ciryl Gane defends the Heavyweight Championship against Josh Hokit, and Amanda Nunes challenges Kayla Harrison for the Women's Bantamweight Championship.
For viewers who cannot watch UFC 334 or later events on Paramount+, Apple Sports will present what it describes as enhanced data visualizations and dynamic on-screen animations. Before each bout, including the prelims, users can view the tale of the tape and fighter rankings. During fights, the app will deliver real-time updates on statistics including total strikes, significant strikes, takedowns, knockdowns, submission attempts and control time. Live Activities will also push real-time updates to Apple Watch and the iPhone lock screen.
The UFC addition extends a gradual expansion for Apple Sports, which debuted in February 2024 with support for basketball, hockey and soccer. Football and tennis have since been added to the app's lineup. Apple also brought the app to many more markets ahead of the men's World Cup earlier this year.
For US users, the update places live UFC statistics on the iPhone and Apple Watch alongside the app's existing coverage of domestic leagues and international competitions. The UFC coverage follows the same model as Apple's other sports integrations, pairing pre-fight information with in-fight statistics rather than serving as a video stream. Viewers still need Paramount+ to watch the fights themselves.
The rollout starts with a card carrying two championship fights, giving the app a high-profile debut for the new sport. Apple has not said which UFC events beyond UFC 334 will be included, and the company has not indicated whether the coverage will extend to regions outside the markets where Apple Sports is already available.
Apple Sports remains a free companion app rather than a replacement for broadcast coverage, and the UFC integration adds another sport to a portfolio that has grown steadily since the app's launch. The company has not announced further sports additions.
More software news from TechManNews.
