Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to commence a new broadcast partnership with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026, launching this era with UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will feature a main card headlined by Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett contesting for the interim lightweight championship, alongside the highly anticipated return of Amanda Nunes in the co-main event against Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight title.
UFC CEO Dana White formally announced the comprehensive fight card for UFC 324, which stands as the organization’s inaugural numbered event of 2026, during the halftime segment of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving. The announcement underscored the significance of the new media rights agreement with Paramount, transitioning away from the traditional pay-per-view model for UFC events in favor of exclusive streaming on the Paramount+ platform.
Main Event: Gaethje vs. Pimblett for Interim Lightweight Gold
The headline bout pits two of the lightweight division’s most compelling figures against each other for the interim lightweight title. Justin Gaethje, known as "The Highlight," enters the contest with a professional record of 26 wins and 4 losses. A former interim lightweight champion himself, Gaethje has earned a reputation for his aggressive, fan-friendly fighting style, which has translated into an unprecedented 14 post-fight bonuses in his 14 UFC appearances. His striking prowess, durability, and willingness to engage in high-octane exchanges have solidified his status as one of the sport’s most exciting athletes. Gaethje’s path to this interim title opportunity follows a series of high-profile victories and championship contention bouts against the division’s elite. The winner of this contest is slated to face reigning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later in 2026.
Related News :
- Welterweight Clash: Bonfim Seeks Validation, Brown Chases Breakthrough at UFC Fight Night
- Domestic Violence Allegations Lead to Abrupt Cancellation of Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis Netflix Bout
- UFC 321: Heavyweight King Aspinall Faces Gane in Abu Dhabi Title Defense as Strawweight Gold is Contested
- Tom Aspinall Defends Integrity Amidst UFC 321 Controversy, Blasts Critics and Sidelines Jon Jones Narrative
- White House Confirmed to Host UFC Card on June 14, 2025; McGregor’s Participation Dismissed by White Amidst New Paramount Media Deal Preparations
Opposing Gaethje is the undefeated Paddy Pimblett, who carries a pristine 7-0 record within the UFC and an overall professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses. Pimblett has rapidly ascended in popularity due to his charismatic personality, dynamic fighting style, and consistent highlight-reel performances, earning five performance bonuses during his UFC tenure. "The Baddy" has demonstrated a diverse skillset, combining striking with submission grappling, and has consistently delivered memorable finishes. This interim title fight marks Pimblett’s most significant challenge to date, testing his undefeated UFC streak against a seasoned and formidable opponent in Gaethje.
Co-Main Event: Nunes Returns to Face Harrison
The co-main event features a clash for the women’s bantamweight championship, marking the highly anticipated return of Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), announced her retirement in June 2023 after a successful title defense against Irene Aldana. Her return to active competition after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus is a significant development for the sport, as she seeks to add another accolade to a legendary career that includes victories over iconic figures such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko. Nunes’s career record stands at 23 wins and 5 losses.
Her opponent, Kayla Harrison, enters the Octagon with an undefeated professional record of 17 wins and 0 losses. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison transitioned to mixed martial arts and achieved considerable success in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) before joining the UFC in 2025. Since her promotional debut, Harrison has maintained an unblemished 3-0 record within the UFC, quickly establishing herself as a formidable force in the women’s bantamweight division. Her elite grappling background and powerful ground-and-pound present a unique challenge to Nunes, setting the stage for what Dana White described as "the biggest women’s fight ever."
Paramount+ Partnership and Broadcast Implications
The launch of UFC 324 signifies a pivotal shift in the UFC’s broadcast strategy, with all events, including numbered pay-per-view cards, now exclusively available to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost beyond the streaming service subscription. This landmark media rights agreement eliminates the pay-per-view model previously utilized for major events, a move anticipated to significantly increase accessibility for fans.
Dana White emphasized the positive implications of this partnership for the audience, stating, "Saturday, Jan. 24, in Las Vegas kicks off this incredible partnership with Paramount. I am so excited for UFC fans that our first card has six current and former champions, including the long-awaited return of the greatest female fighter of all time, which is definitely the biggest women’s fight ever. Also, in the main event, we have Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title to see who will face Ilia Topuria later this year on Paramount+. This card is absolutely stacked — every fight is a must-see. This deal is such a huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view. I look forward to 2026 being our best year ever."
Undercard Highlights: A Stacked Main Card
Beyond the two championship-level contests, UFC 324 features an impressive lineup of bouts designed to bolster the Paramount+ debut:
-
Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-2-1 NC) commences his journey back to title contention against perennial top-10 contender Song Yadong (21-7-1 NC). O’Malley, known for his dynamic striking and flashy style, aims to reassert himself at the top of the division, while Yadong seeks a signature win to propel himself into championship discussions. -
Heavyweight Bout: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
Rising heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (13-1) steps into the Octagon for his sixth fight in a 10-month span, facing fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick Lewis (27-12-1 NC). Cortes Acosta has maintained an aggressive fight schedule, securing victories against various opponents, and now tests his mettle against the powerful veteran Lewis, who holds the record for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history. -
Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
Featherweight contender Arnold Allen (20-3) makes his return to competition after an 18-month layoff, squaring off against knockout artist Jean Silva (13-2). Allen, a highly-ranked fighter known for his well-rounded skills, looks to shake off ring rust, while Silva aims to make a statement against a top-tier opponent.
Preliminary Card Features Notable Matchups
The preliminary card also presents several high-stakes encounters:
-
Featured Prelim (Women’s Flyweight): Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas
Current UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (17-3) is set to compete in a non-title bout against former two-time women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (12-6). This contest carries significant implications for both divisions, as Grasso looks to maintain momentum and Namajunas seeks to solidify her position in the flyweight division. -
Bantamweight Bout: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
An intriguing bantamweight clash pits undefeated prospect Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0) against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (23-4-1). Nurmagomedov, known for his dominant grappling and striking, aims to continue his ascent, while Figueiredo, having successfully transitioned to bantamweight, looks to add another high-profile name to his resume. -
Middleweight Bout: Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
Middleweight contenders Ateba Gautier (12-3) and Andrey Pulyaev (10-2) will open the televised preliminary card, with both fighters aiming to establish momentum in the competitive 185-pound division.
Broadcast Schedule
The UFC 324 main card is scheduled to commence at a new time of 9 p.m. ET. The preliminary card will begin at 7 p.m. ET, with early preliminary bouts starting at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+.
UFC 325 Announcement: Volkanovski vs. Lopes Rematch
In a separate announcement, Dana White also confirmed a headlining bout for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski (29-4) will defend his title in a rematch against Diego Lopes (22-7). Volkanovski previously defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the then-vacant featherweight title in April 2025. This rematch offers Lopes an opportunity to avenge his prior loss and claim the undisputed championship.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMADecember 5, 2025UFC 324 Marks Paramount+ Debut with High-Stakes Gaethje-Pimblett Interim Title Clash
MMADecember 5, 2025Bantamweight Champion Dvalishvili Blasts Yan’s Injury Claims Ahead of UFC 323 Title Defense
MMADecember 5, 2025UFC 323 Main Card Combatants Convene for Highly Anticipated Pre-Fight Press Conference
MMADecember 4, 2025Raja Jackson Enters Not Guilty Plea in Felony Battery Case Following Pro Wrestling Assault, Faces Up To Seven Years Imprisonment
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
alina maya