Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new era in sports broadcasting, commencing an exclusive partnership with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026. The landmark event, UFC 324, will unfold at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a high-stakes main event for the interim lightweight title between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This card represents the first numbered event of 2026 and signals a significant shift in the UFC’s distribution model, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view structure.
The full fight card for UFC 324, along with details for UFC 325, was officially unveiled by UFC CEO Dana White during halftime of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving Day, underscoring the magnitude of the upcoming collaboration and the star power assembled for the debut event. The partnership with Paramount+ aims to enhance accessibility for fans, as the entire event will be available to stream at no additional cost for subscribers.
Interim Lightweight Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett
The main event of UFC 324 pits two of the lightweight division’s most compelling figures against each other for the interim lightweight championship. Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), a former interim champion known for his aggressive, all-action style, enters the bout as one of the sport’s most decorated performers in terms of post-fight bonuses. Across his 15 UFC appearances, Gaethje has accumulated an astounding 14 post-fight bonuses, including "Fight of the Night" accolades and "Performance of the Night" awards, reflecting his consistent delivery of thrilling contests. His recent victories include a highlight-reel knockout of Dustin Poirier in July 2023, which earned him the BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title, and a brutal head kick knockout of Rafael Fiziev in March 2023. Gaethje’s high-pressure striking, formidable leg kicks, and unwavering resilience have established him as a fan favorite and a perennial contender.
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Facing Gaethje is the undefeated Paddy Pimblett (23-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks since his UFC debut. Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," has captivated audiences with both his electrifying performances inside the octagon and his charismatic persona outside of it. His UFC record stands unblemished at 7-0, with five of those victories earning him performance bonuses. Pimblett’s fighting style is characterized by opportunistic grappling, slick submissions, and powerful striking, often leading to dramatic finishes. His most recent outing saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson in December 2024, following a first-round submission win over Jared Gordon in December 2023. This interim title opportunity marks a significant step up in competition for Pimblett, testing his undefeated streak against a top-tier veteran.
The winner of the Gaethje-Pimblett interim title fight is slated to earn a lightweight title unification bout later in the year against the reigning undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC). Topuria claimed the undisputed title by defeating Charles Oliveira in October 2025, further elevating the stakes of the UFC 324 main event.
Co-Main Event: Women’s Bantamweight Title – Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
The co-main event features a highly anticipated women’s bantamweight championship clash, marking the return of one of mixed martial arts’ most dominant figures. Kayla Harrison (18-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, will defend her women’s bantamweight title against the returning Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC). Harrison transitioned to MMA with considerable success in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she became a two-time lightweight champion before making her highly anticipated UFC debut last year. Since joining the promotion, Harrison has maintained her undefeated record, standing at 3-0 in the UFC, showcasing her elite grappling prowess and increasingly dangerous striking. Her most recent title defense was a unanimous decision victory over Raquel Pennington in October 2025.
Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, will come out of retirement for this championship opportunity. "The Lioness," a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), retired in June 2023 after a dominant career that included victories over a pantheon of female fighting legends. Her illustrious hit list features iconic names such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko (twice). Nunes’s retirement followed her successful bantamweight title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. Her return, after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, signifies the magnitude of this fight and her enduring desire to compete at the highest level. The bout against Harrison is being touted as potentially the biggest women’s fight in the history of the sport, pitting an undefeated Olympic-level grappler against the most dominant female champion MMA has ever seen.
Dana White’s Vision for the Paramount+ Partnership
UFC CEO Dana White expressed significant enthusiasm for the new media rights agreement with Paramount+ and the inaugural card. In a press release, White stated, "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 emphasized the stacked nature of the event: "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." The elimination of the pay-per-view model for numbered events is expected to significantly increase accessibility for fans, potentially expanding the UFC’s global viewership and strengthening its position as a premier sports entertainment property.
Stacked Main Card and Preliminary Bouts
Beyond the two championship contests, UFC 324 boasts a robust main card featuring several high-profile matchups:
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Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is slated to begin his journey back to title contention against perennial contender Song Yadong (22-7-1, 1 NC MMA, 11-2-1 UFC). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, aims to rebound after losing his title to Marlon "Chito" Vera in October 2025. Song Yadong, a powerful striker from China, is currently ranked among the top contenders in the division and is known for his aggressive style and ability to finish fights. This bout is crucial for both fighters in the competitive bantamweight landscape. -
Heavyweight Bout: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
Surging heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (15-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will face fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick Lewis (28-12, 1 NC MMA, 19-10 UFC). Cortes Acosta has maintained an exceptionally active schedule, fighting for the sixth time in 10 months. His recent activity includes two victories in November 2025 against lower-ranked opponents, showcasing his commitment to staying active and building his record. Lewis, known as "The Black Beast," holds the record for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history and remains a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division, despite a recent mixed record. This matchup promises a high probability of a finish. -
Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
The main card will also feature the return of featherweight contender Arnold Allen (20-2 MMA, 11-1 UFC), who will end an 18-month layoff to face knockout artist Jean Silva (14-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Allen, a highly ranked fighter known for his technical striking and well-rounded game, last competed in April 2024, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway. Silva, a dynamic striker with a high finishing rate, has quickly made an impression in the UFC with two impressive victories since his debut in January 2025. This fight is crucial for Allen to re-establish his standing in the division and for Silva to climb the ranks.
Event Schedule and Streaming Information
The UFC 324 main card is scheduled 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). All fights, including the early prelims, preliminary card, and the main card, will be available for streaming at no additional cost for subscribers of Paramount+.
UFC 325 Announcement: Volkanovski vs. Lopes II
In addition to the UFC 324 card, Dana White also announced a significant headliner for UFC 325, scheduled to take place on January 31, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. The event will feature a featherweight title rematch between reigning champion Alex Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-1 UFC) and Diego Lopes (25-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC). Volkanovski previously defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title in April 2025. Lopes has since earned his way back to a title shot with impressive performances, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch in front of Volkanovski’s home region crowd. Volkanovski, a dominant featherweight champion, will look to reaffirm his reign against a challenger who pushed him in their previous encounter.
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