UFC Ushers In Paramount+ Era with Star-Studded 2026 Schedule, Holloway-Oliveira BMF Showdown Headlining UFC 326

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has signaled an ambitious start to 2026, officially launching its new broadcast partnership with Paramount+ and unveiling a stacked lineup of marquee events set to define the early months of the year. The announcements were made during the promotion’s seasonal "It’s On" press conference, held Friday ahead of the UFC 323 ceremonial weigh-ins, an event designed to highlight the significant clashes that will mark the beginning of this new broadcast era. The comprehensive presentation, attended by a host of top-tier athletes, culminated in the surprise revelation of a highly anticipated BMF title defense featuring Max Holloway against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

The transition to Paramount+ represents a pivotal moment for the UFC, signaling a strategic shift in its distribution model and aiming to expand its global reach and viewership. This new era promises enhanced content delivery and a broader platform for showcasing the world’s premier mixed martial artists. The press conference served as a grand kickoff, setting the stage for a period of intense competition and significant divisional developments across multiple weight classes.

The first major event on the docket is UFC 324, scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This card is laden with high-stakes matchups, headlined by an interim lightweight title fight that has captured significant attention.

UFC 324: Interim Lightweight Gold and Pivotal Divisional Clashes

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The main event of UFC 324 will see fan-favorite Justin Gaethje (25-4-0 MMA, 8-4-0 UFC) square off against the surging Paddy Pimblett (20-3-0 MMA, 7-0-0 UFC) for the interim lightweight championship. Gaethje, known as "The Highlight" for his aggressive, high-action fighting style, has consistently been a top contender in the lightweight division. A former interim champion, Gaethje recently added the BMF title to his accolades with a spectacular knockout victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. His professional record boasts impressive wins over a murderers’ row of opponents, including Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone, and Michael Chandler, often earning him Fight of the Night bonuses. His wrestling background combined with his devastating striking power makes him a formidable challenge for any opponent. For Gaethje, this fight represents another opportunity to solidify his claim for an undisputed lightweight title shot, potentially against the reigning champion Islam Makhachev.

Paddy Pimblett, affectionately known as "The Baddy," has rapidly ascended through the UFC ranks since his debut in 2021, captivating audiences with his charismatic personality and submission-heavy grappling style. With an undefeated record inside the UFC Octagon, Pimblett has demonstrated a penchant for finishing fights, earning four performance bonuses in his seven UFC outings. His recent victories over opponents like Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon have showcased his evolving striking and submission prowess. This interim title fight marks Pimblett’s first foray into championship contention and a significant step up in competition, testing his readiness for the elite of the lightweight division. The stylistic clash between Gaethje’s relentless pressure and striking and Pimblett’s dynamic grappling promises a compelling main event.

Adding to the championship intrigue at UFC 324, the co-main event features a highly anticipated women’s bantamweight title fight between two formidable athletes: Kayla Harrison (16-1-0 MMA, 0-0-0 UFC) and the legendary Amanda Nunes (23-5-0 MMA, 16-2-0 UFC). Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and a dominant force in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), makes her much-anticipated UFC debut. Undefeated throughout her PFL career, Harrison has showcased a suffocating grappling game and powerful ground-and-pound, finishing 12 of her 16 professional victories. Her transition to the UFC, and directly into a title fight, underscores the promotion’s confidence in her abilities and the immense hype surrounding her.

She faces arguably the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Amanda Nunes, "The Lioness." Nunes, a former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), retired in June 2023 after a dominant title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289, only to announce her return to competition in late 2025. Her professional record is adorned with victories over virtually every major name in women’s MMA, including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and Holly Holm. Nunes’s blend of powerful striking, robust wrestling, and submission defense has made her an almost insurmountable challenge for years. This matchup pits the established dominance of Nunes against the surging potential of Harrison, a contest that could redefine the landscape of the women’s bantamweight division.

Also on the UFC 324 card, a pivotal men’s bantamweight bout is scheduled between Sean O’Malley (18-1-0 MMA, 10-1-0 UFC, 1 NC) and Song Yadong (21-7-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC). O’Malley, currently the undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, enters this non-title fight, a rare occurrence for a reigning champion, perhaps seeking to remain active or test himself outside of immediate title defense pressures. "Suga" Sean is renowned for his flashy, precise striking and creative offense, earning him a significant fan following. He captured the bantamweight title with a stunning knockout of Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 and successfully defended it against Marlon Vera at UFC 299.

Song Yadong, "The Kung Fu Monkey," is a highly respected contender in the bantamweight division, known for his powerful striking and aggressive approach. Ranked within the top 10 of the division, Yadong has compiled an impressive record, with notable wins over the likes of Ricky Simón and Marlon Moraes. A victory over a champion-level fighter like O’Malley, even in a non-title bout, would significantly boost Yadong’s stock and position him firmly in the title picture. This fight promises a high-octane striking battle between two of the division’s most exciting stand-up artists.

Further bolstering the UFC 324 preliminary card, heavyweight veterans Derrick Lewis (27-12-0 MMA, 18-10-0 UFC, 1 NC) and Waldo Cortes-Acosta (11-1-0 MMA, 4-1-0 UFC) are set to clash. Lewis, "The Black Beast," holds the record for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history and remains a fan favorite due to his unpredictable power and engaging personality. Despite a recent mixed record, Lewis always possesses the one-punch knockout threat. Cortes-Acosta, a former professional baseball player, has made a rapid transition to MMA, demonstrating impressive athleticism and striking. A win over a veteran like Lewis would be a significant step up for Cortes-Acosta, while Lewis will be looking to reassert his position in the top half of the heavyweight division.

UFC 325: Featherweight Rematch in Sydney

Following UFC 324, the action moves to the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney for UFC 325, headlined by a highly anticipated featherweight title fight rematch between champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-4-0 MMA, 13-3-0 UFC) and Diego Lopes (24-6-0 MMA, 3-1-0 UFC). Volkanovski, "The Great," has been a dominant force in the featherweight division for years, successfully defending his title against a litany of top contenders including Max Holloway (three times), Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez. Despite two attempts at the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski has remained unchallenged at featherweight until his surprising first encounter with Lopes.

Diego Lopes, a Brazilian submission specialist, burst onto the scene with a stunning performance against Volkanovski at UFC 301, taking the champion to the brink in a fight that many considered a "Fight of the Year" contender. Despite losing the initial bout by decision, Lopes’s aggressive grappling, dangerous submissions, and unexpected striking power earned him widespread acclaim and an immediate rematch. Since their first encounter, Lopes has cemented his contender status with a spectacular knockout victory over Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 306. For Volkanovski, this rematch is an opportunity to emphatically reassert his dominance and prove that his first encounter with Lopes was an anomaly. For Lopes, it is the chance to complete what he nearly accomplished and seize the featherweight throne. The stylistic matchup remains a fascinating one, with Volkanovski’s technical striking and defensive grappling against Lopes’s relentless offensive jiu-jitsu.

UFC 326: Holloway and Oliveira Set for BMF Title Clash

The most significant surprise of the press conference came with the announcement of Max Holloway (26-7-0 MMA, 22-7-0 UFC) defending his "BMF" (Baddest Motherf*er) title against Charles Oliveira (34-10-0 MMA, 22-10-0 UFC, 1 NC) in the main event of UFC 326** in March, returning to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Both men were in attendance, adding a tangible buzz to the announcement.

Max Holloway, "Blessed," is a former undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the sport’s history. Known for his incredible volume, iron chin, and relentless pace, Holloway captured the BMF title with a sensational last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, a performance that further cemented his legacy. His professional record includes victories over numerous featherweight legends. Holloway’s journey to this BMF title defense is rooted in his willingness to take on any challenge, irrespective of divisional boundaries.

Charles Oliveira, "Do Bronx," is a former undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion and holds numerous UFC records, including most submission victories and most finishes in UFC history. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with vastly improved striking, Oliveira’s fights are almost guaranteed fireworks. He reclaimed his form after losing the lightweight title, most recently showcasing his submission prowess against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. Oliveira’s aggressive, high-risk, high-reward style has made him one of the most exciting fighters on the roster.

This matchup carries significant historical weight, as Holloway and Oliveira first met early in their careers at UFC Fight Night 74 in August 2015. That fight ended prematurely when Oliveira suffered a neck injury in the first round, resulting in a TKO victory for Holloway. Both fighters have evolved dramatically since then, becoming world champions and developing into two of the most dangerous and respected athletes in the UFC. The BMF title, while not a traditional divisional championship, represents a recognition of a fighter’s audacious spirit, entertainment value, and willingness to engage in thrilling contests. For Holloway, it’s a chance to defend a unique belt against a top-tier opponent. For Oliveira, it’s an opportunity to avenge an early career loss and add another significant accolade to his illustrious career, potentially setting him up for another lightweight title run or even a move to featherweight. The fight promises a clash of two elite, high-volume finishers, making it a must-see event.

Following the extensive press conference, which maintained a cordial atmosphere among all participants, the fighters engaged in their initial face-offs. These first staredowns provided a glimpse into the intensity that will undoubtedly build as these highly anticipated bouts draw nearer, setting a powerful tone for the UFC’s new era with Paramount+.