Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new era in sports broadcasting with UFC 324, the promotion’s inaugural event under its landmark partnership with Paramount+. Scheduled for Saturday, January 24, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the card promises a high-stakes lineup, headlined by a pivotal interim lightweight title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The co-main event will feature the highly anticipated return of women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, who will defend her title against the legendary Amanda Nunes, emerging from retirement for her first professional bout since 2023.
The announcement of the full fight card for what will be the first numbered UFC event of 2026 was made by UFC CEO Dana White during the halftime broadcast of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving, strategically leveraging a prime viewership slot for maximum impact. This event signifies a significant shift in the UFC’s distribution model, as it will be exclusively available to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost beyond the subscription fee, effectively eliminating the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model for numbered events.
The main event pits two of the lightweight division’s most compelling figures against each other for the interim championship, with the victor poised to challenge reigning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria later in the year for a title unification bout. Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, known for his relentless pressure and devastating striking, enters the contest with a reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting athletes. A former interim champion himself, Gaethje has amassed an astonishing 14 post-fight performance bonuses across his 14 UFC appearances, a testament to his propensity for delivering memorable, action-packed contests. His career is marked by a series of high-profile battles against top contenders, consistently showcasing a willingness to engage in thrilling exchanges that have earned him widespread acclaim. Gaethje’s fighting style, characterized by powerful leg kicks, aggressive boxing, and an iron will, has made him a fan favorite and a consistent threat in the stacked lightweight division. His path back to a title shot, following previous championship opportunities, underlines his enduring presence at the elite level of the sport.
Facing Gaethje will be the undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, who has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks since his UFC debut. Pimblett, boasting an unblemished 7-0 record within the promotion, has captivated audiences with both his electrifying performances inside the octagon and his charismatic, often outspoken, personality outside of it. His highlight-reel finishes and five performance bonuses demonstrate his ability to deliver decisive victories, often through submissions or striking flurries. Pimblett’s journey has been closely watched, with questions often raised about the caliber of his previous opponents. However, a bout against a seasoned, top-ranked contender like Gaethje represents a significant step up in competition and a definitive test of his championship aspirations. The stylistic clash between Gaethje’s aggressive striking and Pimblett’s blend of striking and grappling promises a dynamic and unpredictable encounter with the interim title on the line.
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The co-main event is poised to be a historical clash in women’s mixed martial arts, featuring the return of Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes, widely considered the greatest female athlete in UFC history, against the formidable Kayla Harrison. Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), retired from the sport in 2023, leaving an indelible legacy of dominance. Her illustrious career includes victories over a pantheon of female MMA legends, such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, and Valentina Shevchenko. Her decision to return after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus to challenge for the bantamweight title underscores the magnitude of this particular fight. Nunes’ unparalleled skill set, combining powerful striking with a high-level grappling game, has allowed her to reign supreme in multiple weight classes, cementing her status as an all-time great, irrespective of gender.
Her opponent, Kayla Harrison, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, who transitioned to mixed martial arts with immense success in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she became a two-time champion. Since joining the UFC last year, Harrison has maintained her undefeated professional record, standing at 3-0 within the promotion, continuing a flawless career streak. Known for her suffocating grappling and formidable ground-and-pound, Harrison presents a unique challenge to Nunes, embodying a new generation of elite female fighters. This contest is being heralded by White as "the biggest women’s fight ever," a testament to the combined legacies and current forms of both athletes. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for the women’s bantamweight division and further shape the narrative of female fighting supremacy.
UFC CEO Dana White expressed immense enthusiasm for the upcoming event and the new partnership, stating 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." White further elaborated on the main event, adding, "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." His comments highlight the strategic importance of this card not only for the sporting spectacle but also for the broader business model of the UFC and its accessibility to a wider audience through Paramount+.
Beyond the headline attractions, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to deliver high-octane action. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will commence his journey back to title contention, facing perennial top contender Song Yadong. O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and charismatic persona, will look to reassert his dominance in the stacked 135-pound division against Yadong, a consistently ranked fighter with powerful striking and a well-rounded game. This bout is crucial for both fighters seeking to climb the ladder towards a championship opportunity.
In the heavyweight division, Waldo Cortes Acosta, a surging contender known for his remarkable activity, will compete for the sixth time in 10 months. His opponent will be the fan-favorite Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis, renowned for his devastating knockout power and entertaining interviews. Cortes Acosta, who notably fought twice in November against lower-ranked contenders, faces a significant step up in competition against Lewis, a veteran who has challenged for the heavyweight title multiple times. This matchup promises a heavy-hitting affair, characteristic of the heavyweight landscape.
Rounding out the main card is the return of featherweight contender Arnold Allen, who will make his comeback after an 18-month layoff. Allen, a technically proficient and well-rounded fighter, will face knockout artist Jean Silva. Allen’s return from a substantial absence will be closely watched as he aims to re-establish his presence in a highly competitive division, while Silva looks to build on his reputation for finishing fights.
The preliminary card for UFC 324 also features several compelling matchups. The featured prelim will showcase a women’s flyweight clash between former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. This high-stakes bout pits two elite strikers against each other, with significant implications for the flyweight title picture. In the bantamweight division, the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, a highly touted prospect with a dominant grappling pedigree, will face former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo, known for his aggressive style and submission prowess, presents a formidable challenge to Nurmagomedov’s perfect record. Additionally, middleweights Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev are scheduled to clash, further bolstering the preliminary lineup.
For viewers, the UFC 324 main card is set to begin at a new time of 9 p.m. ET. The preliminary card will commence at 7 p.m. ET, with the early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming at no additional cost for subscribers to Paramount+.
In addition to the UFC 324 details, Dana White also provided an early glimpse into UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. That event will feature a highly anticipated featherweight title defense by Alexander Volkanovski against Diego Lopes. This bout marks a rematch between the two, following Volkanovski’s unanimous decision victory over Lopes last April, which saw him claim the vacant featherweight title. The quick turnaround for this championship rematch underscores the UFC’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-level action to its global fanbase.
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