Ali Akbar RosadyLAS VEGAS, NV – UFC President Dana White delivered a significant announcement on Thursday afternoon, confirming two monumental title bouts set to headline UFC 324. The promotion’s inaugural numbered event under the new Paramount era will take place on January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring an interim lightweight championship clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, alongside a highly anticipated bantamweight title fight pitting newly crowned champion Kayla Harrison against the returning legend Amanda Nunes.
The unexpected Thanksgiving revelation provided clarity for the previously unannounced UFC 324 card, immediately igniting discussion across the mixed martial arts landscape regarding the implications for multiple divisions and prominent fighters. The decision to feature an interim lightweight title fight as the main event, particularly given the magnitude of the co-main event, has drawn particular scrutiny and analysis from experts and fans alike.
Interim Lightweight Championship: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
The main event pits two of the lightweight division’s most popular and dangerous competitors against each other for the interim lightweight title. Justin Gaethje, known universally as "The Highlight," enters the contest with a professional record of 26 wins and 4 losses. A former interim lightweight champion himself and a perennial contender, Gaethje has consistently delivered thrilling performances marked by his aggressive, high-pressure striking style. His recent form includes a dominant victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in July 2023, where he captured the symbolic BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title with a spectacular head kick knockout. This performance solidified his position at the top of the division, further enhancing his reputation for must-see fights. Gaethje’s resume boasts victories over a who’s who of the lightweight elite, including Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, and Rafael Fiziev, showcasing his resilience and devastating power. His relentless pursuit of the undisputed title has been a long-standing narrative, with previous challenges against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
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Opposite Gaethje stands the rapidly ascending Paddy Pimblett, "The Baddy," who boasts a professional record of 22 wins and 3 losses. Pimblett’s journey in the UFC has been nothing short of meteoric since his debut in September 2021. Hailing from Liverpool, England, Pimblett has captivated audiences with his charismatic personality and exciting, finish-oriented fighting style. While initially known for his potent grappling and submission skills, Pimblett has steadily improved his striking, demonstrating a well-rounded game in his recent outings. His path to an interim title shot has been swift, marked by a series of high-profile victories against opponents like Jared Gordon, Jordan Leavitt, and Tony Ferguson, the latter of whom he defeated via decision in a significant step-up bout in 2024. While some critics have questioned the speed of his ascent to a title opportunity, his undeniable popularity and consistent finishing ability have made him a significant draw.
The stylistic clash between Gaethje’s relentless forward pressure and powerful striking and Pimblett’s dynamic grappling and increasingly confident stand-up game promises a compelling contest. Gaethje’s ability to absorb punishment and dish out even more will be tested against Pimblett’s opportunistic submission attacks and rapidly evolving striking. The winner of this bout is slated to face the undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, later in 2026, in a highly anticipated unification bout. This prospect adds another layer of intrigue, as Topuria, with his undefeated record and devastating knockout power, has established himself as a dominant force, having secured the undisputed lightweight title in 2025. The future landscape of the lightweight division hinges significantly on the outcome of Gaethje vs. Pimblett.
Co-Main Event: Harrison vs. Nunes for the Bantamweight Title
The co-main event presents a clash of titans in the women’s bantamweight division, a fight years in the making between former training partners Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. This bout sees Harrison defending her newly acquired bantamweight title against the legendary "Lioness," Amanda Nunes.
Kayla Harrison, with an undefeated professional mixed martial arts record of 18 wins and 0 losses, represents a new era in the bantamweight division. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo (2012, 2016), Harrison transitioned to MMA with unparalleled success in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she dominated the lightweight division, winning two championships. Her long-anticipated move to the UFC finally materialized in 2025, where she quickly made an impact. After a commanding debut victory, Harrison secured a swift shot at the vacant UFC bantamweight title in late 2025, defeating former champion Julianna Peña via unanimous decision in a dominant performance that showcased her elite grappling and steadily improving striking. Her relentless pressure, judo throws, and suffocating ground-and-pound have proven to be a formidable challenge for every opponent she has faced. This title defense marks a significant milestone in her UFC career, validating her decision to join the promotion and compete at the highest level.
Challenging Harrison is arguably the greatest female fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes. "The Lioness," with a professional record of 23 wins and 5 losses, needs little introduction. A former two-division UFC champion (bantamweight and featherweight), Nunes had previously announced her retirement from the sport in June 2023 after a dominant title defense. However, the allure of reclaiming her bantamweight crown and facing a generational talent like Harrison proved too strong. Nunes’s career is marked by an unparalleled run of dominance, with victories over an iconic list of opponents including Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and Miesha Tate. Her devastating striking power, particularly her right hand, combined with significantly improved grappling and submission defense, made her an almost insurmountable challenge for years. Her return to the octagon against a fighter of Harrison’s caliber immediately elevates the profile of the entire event and provides a compelling narrative of a legend seeking to reassert her dominance.
The matchup between Harrison and Nunes is a fascinating clash of styles and narratives. Both fighters trained together for years at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, adding a personal dimension to their rivalry. Harrison’s world-class judo and relentless top control will test Nunes’s renowned takedown defense and ability to scramble back to her feet. Conversely, Nunes’s concussive power and tactical striking will challenge Harrison’s chin and her ability to close the distance safely. The fight represents a passing of the torch or a reaffirmation of a legend’s enduring power, making it one of the most anticipated women’s fights in UFC history.
Undercard Highlights and Division Implications
Beyond the two championship main events, UFC 324 is expected to feature a robust undercard, with several high-stakes matchups already being discussed. Early reports suggest a significant bantamweight clash between former champion Sean O’Malley (19-2, 1 NC) and the dangerous Chinese contender Song Yadong (21-7-1, 1 NC). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, has established himself as one of the division’s top draws. A victory over a highly-ranked opponent like Song Yadong, who possesses formidable striking and durability, would further solidify his position in the stacked bantamweight division, potentially setting him up for another title shot or a major contender eliminator bout.
In the heavyweight division, fan-favorite Derrick Lewis (28-12, 1 NC), renowned for his devastating knockout power and entertaining personality, is slated to face the rising Waldo Cortes-Acosta (12-1). Lewis, "The Black Beast," continues to be a formidable presence in the heavyweight ranks, capable of ending any fight with a single punch. Cortes-Acosta, with his undefeated record outside of one professional loss, has shown promise as a powerful striker with improving technique. This matchup promises an explosive heavyweight encounter that could significantly impact the rankings of the division.
The announcement of UFC 324’s main and co-main events has immediately positioned the card as one of the most significant events of early 2026. The strategic placement of the interim lightweight title fight, with its direct implications for Ilia Topuria’s reign, and the compelling narrative of Harrison vs. Nunes, underscores the UFC’s intent to deliver high-stakes, fan-engaging matchups. The detailed analysis from combat sports journalists Mike Heck and Jed Meshew, following White’s announcement, highlighted the strategic decisions behind these pairings, the potential trajectory for fighters like Arman Tsarukyan in the lightweight division, and the broader impact on the championship picture across multiple weight classes. The stage is now set for a pivotal night of mixed martial arts in Las Vegas.
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