Ali Akbar RosadyThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) launched its pivotal new broadcast rights agreement with Paramount in January 2026, and according to former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, the promotion delivered precisely the explosive start it intended. The main event of UFC 324, the inaugural card under the new Paramount deal, featured a five-round lightweight interim title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, a contest Adesanya has likened to the historically significant Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar fight that catalyzed the UFC’s mainstream ascent two decades prior.
UFC 324, held on Saturday, January 25, 2026, marked a strategic milestone for the organization. With a new broadcast partner in Paramount, the UFC aimed to make an immediate impact, showcasing the high-octane action for which it is renowned. Justin Gaethje, a veteran known for his relentless fighting style, articulated this objective pre-fight, stating that he and Pimblett were selected to headline the first Paramount card precisely because they were "guaranteed to deliver action." Their performance, in a bout contested for the interim lightweight championship, unequivocally fulfilled that promise.
The fight unfolded as a brutal, protracted engagement over five rounds. Gaethje, 37, often referred to as "The Highlight" for his consistently thrilling performances, systematically battered Pimblett with his signature power striking. Despite absorbing a significant volume of punishment, the 29-year-old Liverpudlian, "The Baddy," displayed remarkable toughness and resilience, refusing to be finished. The bout captivated audiences and drew immediate comparisons to some of the sport’s most memorable encounters.
Speaking on his YouTube channel following the event, Israel Adesanya, a prominent figure in the UFC landscape, expressed his admiration for the main event’s intensity. "Main event was sick," Adesanya remarked. "This was sick, because the Spike TV deal, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar showed out and made the whole world go, ‘What the fck?!’ This is like part two, I guess, because it’s a new deal with Paramount and then the main event fcking showed out." Adesanya underscored the importance of such a spectacle for a new broadcast partnership, adding, "I don’t know how that works in America with the subscription, but I’m sure everyone watched this. A lot of eyes on this, and then the main event delivered, which is what you want."
Related News :
- UFC 321: Ciryl Gane Faces Definitive Test to Reclaim Heavyweight Legitimacy and Silence Critics
- Charles Oliveira Delivers Dominant Submission Victory Over Mateusz Gamrot in Electrifying Rio Homecoming Bout
- New England Secures NFL’s Top Record as Rookie Henderson Ignites Offense Against Jets
- Morning Report: Justin Gaethje names two fights he wants back because he was ‘compromised’
- UFC 322: Makhachev and Weili Chase Historic Double-Championship Glory at Madison Square Garden
The comparison to Griffin vs. Bonnar is a weighty one within mixed martial arts history. The fight, which served as the finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 1) in April 2005, was broadcast live on Spike TV. It was an unprecedented, back-and-forth slugfest that instantly captured the imagination of a broad audience. Credited with being the single most important fight in launching the UFC’s mid-2000s boom, it transformed the promotion from a niche sport into a burgeoning multibillion-dollar industry. The bout’s cultural and commercial impact was so profound that it became the first fight ever inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
While it remains improbable that the Gaethje vs. Pimblett interim title fight will ultimately attain the same historical significance as the Griffin-Bonnar classic in terms of industry-altering impact, its immediate effect on the new Paramount era is undeniable. It has already emerged as an early frontrunner for "Fight of the Year," delivering the kind of high-stakes, dramatic action that can define a new broadcast partnership. For Adesanya, the fight also served as a pivotal moment for Paddy Pimblett, who, despite the comprehensive nature of Gaethje’s victory, earned widespread respect for his unwavering heart and durability.
Adesanya specifically praised Pimblett’s performance and spirit. "Shout out to Paddy," Adesanya stated. "For him to get an interim fight, it reminded me of my one. I was like, ‘Man, you have to really put it in there,’ and he went! He put it in. And he managed to stay up, so he proved that Scousers don’t get knocked out." Pimblett’s facial damage following the bout, later revealed in a "gnarly photo" shared by UFC President Dana White, further attested to his tenacity and resilience under immense pressure.
Regarding Justin Gaethje, Adesanya, himself a veteran approaching his late 30s, expressed a sense of kinship. He lauded "The Highlight" for turning back the clock and affirming his status as one of the sport’s elite fighters. "That’s what they do, but the old dogs are still here," Adesanya commented, emphasizing the enduring relevance of experienced competitors in the demanding sport. Gaethje’s victory marked a significant achievement, making him the first two-time interim champion in UFC history. Furthermore, his remarkable record of 8-3 as an underdog throughout his career underscores his ability to perform under challenging circumstances, a testament to his enduring quality in the lightweight division.
The fallout from UFC 324 extended beyond the cage. Gaethje himself relished the experience, reportedly telling Pimblett, "Look at your face, motherfcker," in a post-fight exchange, implying he had taught the younger fighter a hard lesson. Meanwhile, reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, a vocal critic of Pimblett, was quick to blast both "sausage" Paddy and Gaethje on social media following the main event. In other news from the event, UFC President Dana White revealed that a planned fight was pulled at the last minute, stating, "I’m not doing this sht again," though specifics were not immediately detailed. The event also saw the announcement that former UFC champion Dominick Cruz is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Looking ahead, the lightweight division remains a hotbed of activity. Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, who recently announced his retirement, indicated he would consider returning for "one last fight with Justin Gaethje," suggesting a potential trilogy bout given their two previous thrilling encounters. Elsewhere in the bantamweight division, Sean O’Malley expressed a relaxed stance on a potential Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili trilogy, indicating his focus remains elsewhere.
The impact of UFC 324 and its main event extended across social media platforms. Fans and fighters alike praised the thrilling nature of the Gaethje-Pimblett contest, with many acknowledging the "game respects game" dynamic between the two warriors. The fight undoubtedly set a high bar for the new Paramount era, delivering a spectacle that resonated deeply within the MMA community.
In upcoming fight announcements, Edmen Shahbazyan (16-5) is slated to face Jun Yong Park (19-7) at UFC Vegas 114 on April 4, adding another intriguing middleweight clash to the calendar. As the UFC continues its 2026 schedule, the Gaethje vs. Pimblett bout will be remembered as a significant launch point for its new broadcast partnership, echoing, as Israel Adesanya suggests, the foundational excitement of a bygone era.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAJanuary 26, 2026Adesanya Hails Gaethje-Pimblett as New Era’s Griffin-Bonnar Following UFC 324 Thriller- MMAJanuary 26, 2026Las Vegas Prepares for UFC 324 as Gaethje and Pimblett Battle for Interim Lightweight Supremacy
- MMAJanuary 25, 2026UFC 324 Bout Halted Amid Betting Irregularity Concerns, White Cites Previous Case
- MMAJanuary 25, 2026Las Vegas Gears Up for UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett Lightweight Title Showdown.
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
Jonas Leo