Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to usher in a new broadcast era with its landmark partnership with Paramount+, commencing with UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The inaugural event under this exclusive agreement will be headlined by a highly anticipated interim lightweight title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The co-main event will feature the sensational return of women’s bantamweight legend Amanda Nunes, defending her title against Kayla Harrison in what is being billed as a pivotal moment for women’s mixed martial arts.
UFC CEO Dana White formally unveiled the stacked card for the first numbered event of 2026 during the halftime segment of the Thanksgiving Chiefs vs. Cowboys game, signaling the promotion’s strategic shift to Paramount+ as its exclusive broadcast partner, eliminating the traditional pay-per-view model for subscribers.
The main event pits two of the lightweight division’s most explosive competitors against each other for a coveted interim championship. Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, enters the bout known for his high-octane, aggressive fighting style, which has earned him an astounding 14 post-fight bonuses in his 14 UFC appearances. His relentless pressure and powerful striking have consistently placed him in "Fight of the Year" contention. Gaethje’s path to this interim title opportunity has seen him navigate a gauntlet of top contenders, often engaging in wars of attrition that have solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting athletes.
Across the Octagon stands Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, an undefeated force in the UFC lightweight division with a pristine 7-0 record inside the promotion. Pimblett has rapidly ascended the ranks, not only through his submission skills and surprising power but also his charismatic personality and captivating microphone work. His seven UFC victories have garnered him five performance bonuses, underscoring his ability to deliver highlight-reel finishes. The Liverpudlian’s journey to this interim title shot marks a significant step up in competition, presenting a stern test against Gaethje’s veteran prowess. The winner of this interim title fight is expected to face reigning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later in 2026, setting the stage for a critical year in the 155-pound division.
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The co-main event features a monumental contest in the women’s bantamweight division, as Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes, widely recognized as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, emerges from retirement to defend her title against the formidable Kayla Harrison. Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion, retired from the sport in 2023 after a career that saw her dismantle an unparalleled roster of legends. Her illustrious hit list includes victories over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko, cementing her status as an all-time great regardless of gender. Her return after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus is poised to be one of the most significant comebacks in UFC history, adding immense gravitas to the UFC 324 card.
Challenging Nunes is Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, who has transitioned seamlessly into mixed martial arts. Since joining the UFC last year, Harrison has maintained an undefeated 3-0 record within the promotion, showcasing her elite grappling and evolving striking. Her career prior to the UFC saw her dominate the Professional Fighters League (PFL) women’s lightweight division, where she secured two championship titles. This championship clash against Nunes represents Harrison’s ultimate test and an opportunity to solidify her own legacy against the sport’s most decorated female fighter. White remarked in a press release that the card boasts "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," highlighting the magnitude of Nunes vs. Harrison.
The shift to Paramount+ signifies a strategic evolution for UFC’s broadcast model, moving away from a traditional pay-per-view structure for numbered events. "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… 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." This move aims to make UFC’s premium content more accessible to a broader audience, integrating it directly into Paramount+’s subscription service at no additional cost beyond the standard subscription fee.
Beyond the two headline attractions, the UFC 324 main card is bolstered by several high-stakes matchups. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and charismatic persona, will initiate his journey back towards title contention against the resilient perennial contender Song Yadong. This matchup offers O’Malley a chance to reassert his dominance in the competitive 135-pound division against a durable opponent.
In the heavyweight division, surging contender Waldo Cortes Acosta is scheduled for his sixth fight in a remarkable 10-month span, facing fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick Lewis. Cortes Acosta’s aggressive activity level, which saw him compete twice in November against lower-ranked contenders, now sees him taking on a well-established veteran in Lewis, known for his devastating power and ability to upset top contenders. This bout will test Cortes Acosta’s durability and readiness for the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.
Rounding out the main card, featherweight contender Arnold Allen makes his return to the Octagon after an 18-month layoff, facing dynamic knockout artist Jean Silva. Allen, a technically proficient striker and grappler, will look to shake off ring rust and re-establish his position in the competitive 145-pound division against Silva, who has quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive, finish-oriented style.
Shortly after his initial announcement, White confirmed three compelling preliminary fights for UFC 324. The featured preliminary bout will showcase a clash of former champions as Alexa Grasso, the former UFC women’s flyweight champion, takes on former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. This high-stakes encounter could have significant implications for both the flyweight and strawweight divisions.
A high-level bantamweight contest is also slated for the prelims, featuring the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Nurmagomedov, a grappling specialist, aims to continue his ascent through the bantamweight ranks against the powerful and experienced Figueiredo, who is looking to make a statement in his new division. Finally, middleweights Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev are set to clash, promising a hard-hitting encounter in the 185-pound division.
The UFC 324 main card is scheduled to begin at a new time of 9 p.m. ET, with the preliminary card commencing at 7 p.m. ET and the early prelims starting at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming at no additional cost for Paramount+ subscribers, marking a significant change in how fans access premium UFC content.
UFC 324 Fight Card:
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Title)
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes (Women’s Bantamweight Title)
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong (Bantamweight)
- Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight)
- Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas (Women’s Flyweight)
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
UFC 325 Announcement
In related news, UFC CEO Dana White also announced a significant headliner for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski will defend his title against Diego Lopes. This highly anticipated rematch follows their previous encounter last April, where Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision victory over Lopes to claim the vacant featherweight title. The second contest promises to be another thrilling affair as Lopes seeks to avenge his earlier loss and capture the championship.
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