If you’re a fan of UFC fights, you might be wondering why you should watch them in virtual reality (VR) instead of on a regular TV or a mobile device. After all, wouldn’t it be more comfortable without a VR headset strapped to your face? Well, the main advantage here is the ability to virtually watch the fights with friends, even if you’re far away from each other.

Meta, the company behind the popular VR device Quest, promises that users will be able to communicate with each other in real-time within the Xtadium. This feature expands on a previous test conducted in 2022, where similar viewing sessions were held. So, you can chat with your friends as if you were sitting together, enhancing the social aspect of watching sports.

According to Sebastian Amengual, co-founder of YBVR (a company involved in the collaboration), watching a fight in VR provides a completely different experience compared to a flat screen. The proximity to the fighters and the intense energy of the matchup becomes more palpable, making the viewing experience more immersive.

Meta also reveals that VR viewers will have a perspective similar to that of the camera operators during the fight. This ensures that viewers see the action up close and personal, just as it is captured for streaming. If this excites you, there’s more good news. Meta hints that their collaboration with YBVR could lead to other exciting VR sports experiences in Horizon Worlds in the future, although specific details have not been disclosed yet.