Ali Akbar RosadyThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new broadcast era, launching its exclusive partnership with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026, with UFC 324. Staged at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event is headlined by an interim lightweight championship bout featuring Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett. This highly anticipated card also marks the return of women’s mixed martial arts icon Amanda Nunes, who will challenge reigning bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison in the co-main event, following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus from the sport.
UFC CEO Dana White formally unveiled the stacked fight card for the first numbered event of 2026 during halftime of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving Day, signaling the magnitude of this new media rights agreement. The partnership with Paramount+ represents a significant shift in UFC’s broadcast strategy, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view model to make all live events accessible to subscribers at no additional cost. White stated in a press release, "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."
Interim Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett
The main event pits two of the lightweight division’s most compelling figures against each other for the interim lightweight title. Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), a former interim champion known for his aggressive, high-octane fighting style, brings an impressive resume of 14 post-fight bonuses in his 15 UFC appearances. Gaethje, 35, is celebrated for his devastating leg kicks, iron chin, and willingness to engage in thrilling exchanges, which has seen him consistently earn "Fight of the Night" or "Performance of the Night" accolades. His journey through the lightweight division has included notable victories over fighters like Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler, though he has fallen short in undisputed title bids against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. His last outing was a spectacular knockout victory over Max Holloway, securing him the BMF title.
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Facing Gaethje is the surging and undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett (20-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC). The 29-year-old Liverpudlian has quickly ascended the ranks since his UFC debut in 2021, captivating audiences with his charismatic persona, submission prowess, and explosive striking. Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion, has amassed five performance bonuses in his seven UFC bouts, showcasing his finishing ability and fan appeal. While often lauded for his grappling and rear-naked choke submissions, Pimblett has also demonstrated improved striking, securing knockouts in his early UFC appearances. His most recent victory was a dominant unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson. This bout represents a significant step up in competition for Pimblett, testing his undefeated record against a seasoned and top-ranked contender. The winner of this interim title fight is slated to face reigning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) later in the year for a title unification bout. Topuria, who recently claimed the undisputed title with a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski, presents a formidable challenge with his undefeated record and powerful striking.
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
In the co-main event, the women’s bantamweight title will be on the line as undefeated champion Kayla Harrison (19-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) defends her belt against the returning "Lioness" Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC). Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time, makes her highly anticipated comeback after announcing her retirement in June 2023. A UFC Hall of Famer and former simultaneous two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), Nunes’s resume is unparalleled, boasting victories over a pantheon of MMA legends including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Miesha Tate, and Holly Holm. Her return after a two-and-a-half-year break underscores the magnitude of this matchup and her desire to reclaim her place at the top. Nunes, 36, has demonstrated devastating knockout power and a strong grappling game throughout her career, making her a threat in all areas.
Challenging Nunes is Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo. Harrison, 33, made her highly anticipated UFC debut last year after an illustrious career in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she secured two lightweight championship titles. With a dominant grappling-heavy style, Harrison has transitioned seamlessly into MMA, maintaining an undefeated record and demonstrating powerful ground-and-pound and submission skills. Her three UFC victories have showcased her ability to control opponents and finish fights, but facing Nunes presents her most significant challenge to date, marking a true test of her championship pedigree against the sport’s most decorated female athlete. This contest is being hailed by Dana White as "the biggest women’s fight ever," a testament to the combined legacies and skill sets of both combatants.
Main Card Bouts: Depth and Intrigue
The UFC 324 main card further bolsters the event’s appeal with a series of high-stakes matchups across various divisions:
- Bantamweight: Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-2, 1 NC MMA, 10-2, 1 NC UFC) embarks on his journey back to title contention against perennial top-10 contender Song Yadong (21-7-1, 1 NC MMA, 10-2-1 UFC). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and unique approach, will look to rebound from his recent title loss. Yadong, a powerful striker with a strong chin, aims to solidify his position in the division’s elite.
- Heavyweight: Surging heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is set for his sixth fight in 10 months, demonstrating remarkable activity. He will face fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis (27-12, 1 NC MMA, 18-10 UFC). Cortes Acosta, a former professional boxer, has swiftly risen through the heavyweight ranks, with two of his recent victories occurring in November against lower-ranked opponents. Lewis, 39, holds the record for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history and remains a dangerous opponent despite a streaky recent record. This bout represents a classic "prospect vs. veteran" dynamic.
- Featherweight: The main card is rounded out by the return of featherweight contender Arnold Allen (20-2 MMA, 11-1 UFC), who ends an 18-month layoff to face explosive knockout artist Jean Silva (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Allen, ranked among the top featherweights, has demonstrated a well-rounded skill set and strategic approach, previously holding notable wins over Dan Hooker and Calvin Kattar. Silva, riding a six-fight win streak with all wins coming via stoppage, has quickly made an impression in the UFC with his aggressive striking.
Preliminary Card Highlights
The preliminary card features several high-profile matchups, including a featured bout that could have significant implications for the women’s flyweight division:
- Women’s Flyweight: Reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (17-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) will fight former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC). Grasso, who famously dethroned Valentina Shevchenko, looks to continue her impressive run. Namajunas, a technical striker with a dynamic ground game, moved to flyweight in her last bout and aims to establish herself as a contender in a new division.
- Bantamweight: A high-level bantamweight clash sees undefeated top prospect Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) take on former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC). Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, brings a dominant Dagestani wrestling pedigree and precise striking. Figueiredo, a potent finisher with a captivating style, has transitioned to bantamweight and seeks to climb the ranks in his new division.
- Middleweight: Middleweights Ateba Gautier (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Andrey Pulyaev (10-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) are also slated to clash, promising an action-packed start to the night.
Broadcast Schedule and Future Events
UFC 324 will kick off at a new main card start time of 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), with early prelims commencing at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT). The entire event, from early prelims through the main card, will be available for streaming at no additional cost for Paramount+ subscribers.
In addition to the UFC 324 announcements, Dana White also revealed a major headliner for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will defend his title against Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC). This will be a rematch from April of the previous year, where Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title. Lopes has since rattled off three consecutive finishes, earning him another shot at the undisputed champion.
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