Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new broadcast partnership with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026, with UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This landmark event will be headlined by a highly anticipated interim lightweight championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The co-main event features the return of women’s bantamweight legend Amanda Nunes, who will defend her title against two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison.
UFC CEO Dana White formally announced the comprehensive fight card for the first numbered event of 2026 during halftime of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving. The announcement underscored the significance of the new media rights agreement with Paramount, which White hailed as a substantial benefit for fans by eliminating the pay-per-view model for future UFC events.
Main Event: Interim Lightweight Championship Showdown
The headlining clash for the interim lightweight title pits two of the division’s most exciting competitors against each other: Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje and the undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. Gaethje, a former interim champion himself, holds a professional record of 27-5 and is renowned for his aggressive, high-octane fighting style that has earned him an astonishing 14 post-fight bonuses in as many UFC appearances. His career is punctuated by memorable victories and "Fight of the Night" accolades against top-tier opponents, including a recent highlight-reel knockout of Dustin Poirier and a dominant performance against Michael Chandler. Gaethje’s relentless pressure, powerful leg kicks, and formidable striking present a significant challenge for any lightweight contender.
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Pimblett, with an unblemished UFC record of 7-0 and an overall professional record of 23-0, has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks since his promotional debut. Known for his charismatic personality and dynamic finishing abilities, Pimblett has secured five performance bonuses in the UFC, showcasing both his striking prowess and submission game. His fan-favorite status has grown exponentially, fueled by his entertaining walkouts and post-fight interviews. While Pimblett has demonstrated a propensity for finishes, including notable submissions and knockouts against opponents like Kazula Vargas and Jordan Leavitt, the bout against Gaethje represents a significant step up in competition, testing his undefeated streak against a seasoned veteran.
The victor of this interim title bout is slated to face the reigning undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, later in the year for a title unification contest. The interim championship was established due to Topuria’s current unavailability, providing a clear path to the undisputed title for the winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett.
Co-Main Event: The Return of a Legend
The co-main event features one of the most anticipated comebacks in women’s mixed martial arts history as Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes returns from a two-and-a-half-year retirement to defend her women’s bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison. Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time, holds a professional record of 23-5. A UFC Hall of Famer and former simultaneous two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), Nunes has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her illustrious career includes dominant victories over an unparalleled list of legendary fighters, such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko. Her last fight was a unanimous decision victory over Irene Aldana in June 2023 before announcing her retirement.
Challenging Nunes is Kayla Harrison, a formidable force who joined the UFC last year and quickly amassed a 3-0 record within the promotion. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo (2012 and 2016), transitioned to MMA with a dominant run in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she became a two-time lightweight champion. With an overall professional record of 18-0, Harrison’s strength lies in her elite grappling and powerful ground-and-pound, making her a unique threat in the bantamweight division. Her undefeated record and decorated judo background present a compelling challenge to Nunes’ legacy, setting the stage for what Dana White described as "definitely the biggest women’s fight ever."
UFC 324 Main Card Highlights
Beyond the two championship bouts, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to deliver high-stakes action across multiple weight classes.
In the bantamweight division, former champion Sean O’Malley (18-2) will commence his journey back to title contention against perennial contender Song Yadong (21-7-1). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, aims to reassert his dominance after losing his title in a controversial decision. Yadong, "Kung Fu Kid," a precise and powerful striker, presents a tough challenge, having consistently proven himself against top-ranked opponents.
The heavyweight division will witness a clash between surging contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (12-1) and fan-favorite Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis (27-12). Cortes Acosta has been exceptionally active, fighting for the sixth time in 10 months. His recent victories, including two in November against lower-ranked opponents, highlight his readiness for consistent competition. Lewis, known for his devastating knockout power and engaging personality, remains a dangerous opponent for anyone in the heavyweight division.
Rounding out the main card is the return of featherweight contender Arnold "Almighty" Allen (20-3), who steps back into the octagon after an 18-month layoff to face knockout artist Jean Silva (14-2). Allen, a highly-ranked fighter with a well-rounded skill set, looks to shake off the ring rust against Silva, who has quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive striking and finishing capabilities.
Preliminary Card Preview
The preliminary card for UFC 324 also features several high-profile matchups, with the featured prelim being a women’s flyweight bout between current champion Alexa Grasso (17-4) and former strawweight champion Rose "Thug Rose" Namajunas (12-6). Grasso, who famously dethroned Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title, faces Namajunas, who has recently transitioned to the flyweight division after a storied career at strawweight.
Another compelling preliminary fight is a high-level bantamweight contest between the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0) and former flyweight champion Deiveson "Deus da Guerra" Figueiredo (22-4-1). Nurmagomedov, a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, has impressed with his dominant grappling and striking, maintaining an unblemished record. Figueiredo, a four-time flyweight champion, is seeking to establish himself in the bantamweight division.
Additionally, middleweights Ateba Gautier (9-2) and Andrey Pulyaev (11-3) are scheduled to clash, adding further depth to the preliminary action.
Paramount+ Partnership and Event Logistics
The partnership between UFC and Paramount+ marks a significant shift in the broadcasting landscape for mixed martial arts. As Dana White emphasized, the new deal is "a huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view," indicating that all UFC events, including numbered cards like UFC 324, will be accessible to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost. This move aims to broaden the accessibility of UFC content and potentially increase viewership.
UFC 324 is scheduled to kick off with the early preliminary card at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 7 p.m. ET. The main card will commence at a new time of 9 p.m. ET. All portions of the event will be available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+ for subscribers.
Looking Ahead: UFC 325 Announcement
In a forward-looking announcement, Dana White also revealed a headlining bout for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski (26-4) will defend his title against Diego Lopes (23-6). This will be a rematch of their encounter in April of the previous year, where Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title. Volkanovski, widely considered one of the greatest featherweights of all time, will look to reaffirm his dominance against a rapidly improving Lopes.
UFC 324 not only represents the dawn of a new era for the promotion’s broadcasting but also delivers a meticulously crafted fight card designed to captivate a global audience from the outset. With two championship bouts and a stacked undercard, the event is positioned to set a high standard for the UFC’s new chapter with Paramount+.
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