Las Vegas Set to Host UFC 324 as Gaethje and Pimblett Vie for Interim Lightweight Gold in Paramount+ Era Debut

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is poised to inaugurate a new era in mixed martial arts broadcasting with UFC 324, scheduled for January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This landmark event marks the official commencement of the UFC’s exclusive partnership with Paramount+, fundamentally altering the consumption model for fans by integrating all UFC numbered events into the streaming service’s subscription at no additional pay-per-view cost.

Headlining the inaugural Paramount+ card is a highly anticipated clash for the interim lightweight championship, featuring former interim titleholder Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje against the undefeated British sensation Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. The winner of this pivotal bout is expected to secure a title unification showdown later in 2026 with reigning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

The announcement of the stacked UFC 324 fight card was made by UFC CEO Dana White during the halftime broadcast of the NFL’s Chiefs vs. Cowboys game on Thanksgiving Day, 2025. White underscored the significance of the event, not only for the high-profile matchups but also for the revolutionary shift in broadcast accessibility.

Main Event: Gaethje vs. Pimblett for Interim Lightweight Title

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Justin Gaethje (27-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), renowned for his aggressive, high-pressure fighting style and an unparalleled penchant for earning post-fight bonuses, enters the contest as one of the most consistently exciting athletes in the sport. With 14 post-fight bonuses in his 14 UFC appearances, Gaethje has cemented his reputation for delivering thrilling, often brutal, encounters. The 37-year-old Arizona native previously held the interim lightweight title in 2020 before falling to then-undisputed champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. His recent form includes victories over top contenders, showcasing his refined striking and improved defensive grappling. Ranked among the top lightweight contenders, Gaethje’s path to another undisputed title shot hinges on a victory against Pimblett.

Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC), meanwhile, brings an unblemished UFC record and a rapidly growing fan base to the interim title fight. The 29-year-old Liverpudlian, known for his charismatic personality and submission-heavy attack, has quickly ascended the lightweight ranks since his UFC debut in 2021. While his grappling has been a consistent threat, Pimblett has also demonstrated improving striking and durability, earning five performance bonuses in his five UFC victories. A win over a top-ranked opponent like Gaethje would signify a significant leap in his career, validating his trajectory toward championship contention and dispelling doubts about his elite-level capabilities.

Co-Main Event: Nunes Returns to Face Harrison for Bantamweight Gold

The co-main event promises a historic encounter in the women’s bantamweight division, featuring the return of two-division former champion Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) against two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison (18-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, will emerge from a two-and-a-half-year retirement for this title defense. Her last fight was a dominant victory over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023, where she successfully defended her bantamweight title before announcing her retirement. A UFC Hall of Famer, Nunes’ storied career includes title reigns in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, with notable victories over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko. Her return against a formidable opponent like Harrison underscores her continued ambition and desire for legacy-defining challenges.

Kayla Harrison, 33, enters the bout with a perfect professional record and an esteemed background in judo, where she secured Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. After a dominant career in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Harrison made her highly anticipated transition to the UFC in 2025, quickly accumulating a 3-0 record within the promotion. Her powerful grappling, relentless top control, and developing striking have made her a formidable force, and a victory over Nunes would instantly solidify her as the new queen of the women’s bantamweight division, fulfilling years of speculation about her potential impact in the UFC.

Dana White Emphasizes Partnership and Stacked Card

UFC CEO Dana White articulated the significance of UFC 324 and the Paramount+ partnership in a press release following the card announcement. "Saturday, Jan. 24, in Las Vegas kicks off this incredible partnership with Paramount," White stated. "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

The main card is further bolstered by several high-stakes matchups across various divisions:

• Bantamweight Bout: Former bantamweight champion Sean "Sugar" O’Malley (18-2, 1 NC MMA, 10-2, 1 NC UFC) will commence his journey back to title contention against perennial top contender Song Yadong (21-7-1, 1 NC MMA, 10-2-1 UFC). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, aims to rebound and reclaim his position at the division’s summit, while "Kung Fu Kid" Yadong seeks to solidify his claim for a title shot with a signature victory.
• Heavyweight Clash: Surging heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will compete for the sixth time in 10 months, facing fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis (27-12, 1 NC MMA, 18-10 UFC). Cortes Acosta has maintained an active schedule, demonstrating his durability and work rate, while Lewis, known for his explosive power and record-setting knockouts, always presents a threat to any opponent.
• Featherweight Return: Featherweight contender Arnold "Almighty" Allen (19-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) makes his return to the octagon after an 18-month layoff, facing dynamic knockout artist Jean "Lord" Silva (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Allen, ranked among the top featherweights, looks to shake off the ring rust and re-establish his championship aspirations against the dangerous Silva, who has quickly made an impression in the UFC.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card features compelling matchups, including a featured bout between two former champions:

• Featured Prelim (Women’s Flyweight): Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will take on former women’s strawweight champion Rose "Thug Rose" Namajunas (13-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC). Grasso, who famously dethroned Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title, faces Namajunas, who previously moved up to the flyweight division after a dominant run at strawweight.
• Bantamweight Contention: An intriguing high-level bantamweight bout pits undefeated top prospect Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), cousin of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, against former flyweight champion Deiveson "Deus da Guerra" Figueiredo (22-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC). Both fighters are aiming for a title shot in the highly competitive bantamweight division.
• Middleweight Showdown: Middleweights Ateba Gautier (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Andrey Pulyaev (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) are scheduled to clash, rounding out the preliminary card.

Event Schedule and Streaming Details

The UFC 324 main card is set to commence at a new time of 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). The preliminary card will begin at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), with the early prelims kicking off 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 with a Paramount+ subscription. This eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model for numbered UFC events, providing subscribers with comprehensive access to the promotion’s premier offerings.

UFC 325 Announcement: Volkanovski vs. Lopes

In a separate announcement, Dana White also revealed a significant headliner for UFC 325, which is slated to take place on January 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. Former featherweight champion Alex "The Great" Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) is scheduled to face surging contender Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in a highly anticipated featherweight clash. While the original announcement mentioned Volkanovski defending his title, details regarding the championship status of the bout are pending, given Ilia Topuria currently holds the undisputed featherweight belt. This matchup would mark a significant challenge for Volkanovski, a long-time former champion, against the formidable Lopes, who has rapidly climbed the ranks with impressive performances.

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