UFC fans & fighters struggle to watch UFC 313 due to ESPN+ server issues

UFC 313 may as well be remembered as an event to forget.

Not only was there a changing of guard in the UFC's light heavyweight division with Magomed Ankalaev becoming the new champion over Alex Pereira, but a massive issue outside of the Octagon may have also stained the event.

UFC 313 Was Not Watchable For Some Who Ordered It

With the pay-per-view broadcast starting just after 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT Saturday night, some who paid for the fight through ESPN+ (subscription required) were left with error messages, a black screen, choppy picture and audio, or a mix of all the above.

Alex Pereira fights Magomed Ankalaevduring UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Magomed Ankalaev ties Mighty Mouse's UFC Record - how far is he from Jon Jones?

Former UFC Champions Frankie Edgar and Chris Weidman expressed their discontent with the viewing experience, sharing their respective displeasures on 'X' (formerly Twitter) shortly after the broadcast started.

Tried to buy ufc 313 on espn plus on my phone about 100 times. It keeps giving an error. Anybody having same issue and figured it out ?
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) March 9, 2025

"Tried to buy ufc 313 on espn plus on my phone about 100 times. It keeps giving an error. Anybody having same issue and figured it out?" Weidman asked.

Hundreds of fans responded voicing the same issue. While Edgar didn't obsessively attempt to buy it, he did reveal he was wrongfully charged regarding the event's price point.

Hey @espn plus you charged my card twice for #UFC313 put I can’t get it playing, get your shit in order let’s goooo!
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 9, 2025

"Hey ESPN plus, you charged my card twice for UFC 313," Edgar wrote. "I can’t get it playing, get your s*** in order. Let’s goooo!"

Magomed Ankalaev dethrones Alex Pereira in razor-close UFC 313 title fight

It appeared ESPN didn't fix itself, as UFC CEO Dana White went live on Instagram during the Pereira-Ankalaev fight and could be heard asking what the issue was with the stream. Over 20,000 concurrent viewers were watching the stream, which was at least 15 secs ahead of the UFC Fight Pass international broadcast.

Dana White going live during the main event after tonight's ESPN issues is madness. #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/no9wEYzHUj
— Zain Bando ™️ (@zainbando99) March 9, 2025

With the UFC's television distributor in limbo, one can only wonder whether the promotion opts to leave the platform if issues continue.

White did not reveal whether fans who were blacked out would be refunded, but indicated he was notified during the event when speaking to media during his post-fight scrum.

American politician Vivek Ramaswamy and UFC CEO Dana White during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dana White Gives Thoughts On ESPN+ Technical Glitch

"They were having problems buying [the fight] on ESPN+," White said. "I don't know what happened with their platform tonight, but there were a lot of p***ed off people."

The Athletic reported Sunday that UFC 313 is currently being offered for free for those with ESPN+, but that doesn't solve the frustrating live event experience.

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