The UFC’s decision to remove the option to purchase live pay-per-views online in Ireland has caused much consternation among fans.

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In a statement released to UFC Fight Pass subscribers, the online streaming service of the UFC revealed that Irish users will no longer be able to purchase live PPV events on UFC.tv.

Part of the statement reads:

1. The UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims remain exclusively live on UFC FIGHT PASS

All UFC events begin with a series of bouts live and exclusive to UFC FIGHT PASS. This includes the popular Featured Bout – which showcases the biggest names and most exciting emerging talents. This weekend’s Featured Bout sees featherweight contenders Cub Swanson and Tatsuya Kawajiri collide. 2. The UFC Prelims remain live on UFC FIGHT PASS

The Preliminary bouts are streamed live to Republic of Ireland UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers. They are also live on BT Sport. 3. UFC Main Cards — available on UFC FIGHT PASS just 48 hours after the event

The main cards of every UFC event — including the August 20 main event between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor — will now be available, on-demand, just two days after the show takes place. All UFC main cards are live on BT Sport and are no longer available for Pay-Per-View purchase on UFC.TV.

BT Sport became unavailable on one of Ireland’s largest TV/Broadband providers, Virgin Media, this month. The only ways to access that sports package in Ireland are now through Eir or Sky TV Ireland, with each provider emphasising a full package deal of TV, phone and broadband.

Until now, Virgin Media subscribers could purchase UFC events through UFC.tv without a BT Sport package, but that avenue has now been cut off just two weeks before Dublin’s own Conor McGregor faces Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in a much anticipated rematch.

Fans aired their frustrations at the situation on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Gutts1985/status/761900644001251328

that's out off order no ppv for irish supporters of the ufc not happy about that — BerMo (@GaryBermo) August 6, 2016

https://twitter.com/_AaronOBrien/status/761882244789178368

@elwinter you have ruined the ufc for a lot of Irish people. So disappointed. At least let us buy it on fight pass! — Brian McCarthy (@BrianMc002) August 6, 2016

https://twitter.com/philip_brady/status/761875791949008896

@elwinter @UFCFightPass I'll be cancelling my Fightpass subscription. Thanks for treating the Irish fans like shit. — Eric. (@ScottScreen) August 6, 2016

@elwinter what do Irish fans with no BT subscription and pointless @UFCFightPass subscription do now? Very disappointed, we've been shafted. — stephen* (@dunnesta) August 6, 2016

@elwinter @UFCFightPass given that BT Sports is no longer available to the majority of Irish TV owners. Awful timing to remove PPV option — Jonathan Murray (@nimrodson) August 6, 2016

The move raises the distinct possibility that many of the Irish contingent will opt to stream the August 20 pay-per-view illegally.

https://twitter.com/HodgeSAFC/status/761881884032901120

effectively @UFCFightPass are going to lose money on pay-per-view revenue with many Irish fans opting for illegal streams — Dr Laura Byrne (@LauraRoseByrne) August 6, 2016

The only remote possibility to watch without having to enter a twelve month contract with a new television/broadband provider is to purchase the event via YouTube, though that situation may change also.

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