UFC 324 Marks Paramount+ Global Debut with High-Stakes Gaethje-Pimblett Interim Title Clash

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new era in its broadcast history, kicking off its exclusive partnership with Paramount+ on January 24. UFC 324, scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will serve as the landmark event, headlined by an electrifying interim lightweight championship bout between two of the division’s most dynamic contenders, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This pivotal contest will determine the next challenger for undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

The partnership with Paramount+ represents a significant strategic shift for the UFC, moving away from its traditional pay-per-view model to a subscription-based streaming platform for its numbered events. UFC CEO Dana White formally unveiled the stacked fight card for the first numbered event of 2026 during halftime of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving, underscoring the magnitude of the announcement.

The Main Event: Gaethje vs. Pimblett for Interim Lightweight Gold

The headliner features a clash of styles and personalities that promises fireworks. Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion known for his unrelenting pressure and devastating striking, enters the octagon with a reputation as one of the most consistently thrilling fighters in the sport. His record, currently standing at 26-5, is punctuated by an astounding 14 post-fight bonuses across his UFC career, a testament to his all-action approach and willingness to engage in crowd-pleasing brawls. Gaethje’s resume includes victories over formidable opponents such as Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Tony Ferguson. His last outing saw him claim the symbolic "BMF" title with a spectacular head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in July 2023, showcasing his evolving technical prowess alongside his raw power. A victory for Gaethje would not only solidify his position at the top of the lightweight division but also set up a highly anticipated unification bout against Ilia Topuria, who captured the undisputed lightweight title from Islam Makhachev at UFC 304 in October 2025.

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Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, meanwhile, has rapidly ascended the ranks since his UFC debut in September 2021, captivating audiences with his flamboyant personality and unpredictable fighting style. The Liverpool native boasts an undefeated 7-0 record inside the UFC cage and a professional record of 23-3. Pimblett’s journey has been marked by a series of finishes and five performance bonuses, showcasing both his submission skills and surprising knockout power. His most recent victory came against Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December 2023, where he secured a unanimous decision. Despite some criticism regarding his weight management between fights, Pimblett’s performances have consistently drawn significant viewership, making him a major draw. This interim title shot represents a significant leap in competition for Pimblett, offering him an opportunity to prove his championship caliber against one of the division’s most seasoned and dangerous veterans. The stylistic clash—Gaethje’s relentless striking pressure against Pimblett’s opportunistic grappling and striking—is expected to deliver a memorable encounter.

Co-Main Event: Nunes Returns to Face Harrison

The co-main event presents a monumental women’s bantamweight championship bout as the legendary Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes makes her highly anticipated return from retirement to challenge two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, holds an unparalleled legacy as a former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight) and the only fighter, male or female, to successfully defend titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Her illustrious career includes victories over a murderers’ row of combat sports icons, including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Miesha Tate, and Holly Holm. Nunes announced her retirement after a dominant performance against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023. Her decision to return after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus to face Harrison underscores the significance of this matchup and her desire to further cement her already unassailable legacy.

Challenging Nunes is Kayla Harrison, an athlete who has dominated the professional mixed martial arts landscape outside the UFC for years. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo (2012, 2016), Harrison transitioned to MMA in 2018, compiling an impressive 18-1 record primarily in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she won two lightweight tournaments. Her highly anticipated move to the UFC last year has seen her quickly establish a 3-0 record within the promotion, demonstrating her elite grappling and evolving striking. This fight marks Harrison’s biggest test to date and a chance to immediately establish herself as a top contender, or even champion, in the premier MMA organization. The bout is being hailed by Dana White as "definitely the biggest women’s fight ever," given the combined accomplishments and star power of both athletes.

A Stacked Main Card Bolstering the Paramount+ Debut

Beyond the two championship contests, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to showcase the depth of talent within the promotion and maximize the impact of the Paramount+ launch.

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
Former bantamweight champion Sean "Suga" O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and charismatic persona, seeks to reclaim his path to title contention following a recent loss. He faces the formidable Song Yadong, a perennial top-10 contender from China with powerful striking and a record of 23-8-1 (1 NC). This matchup presents a crucial crossroads for both fighters in the highly competitive bantamweight division. O’Malley, with a professional record of 18-2 (1 NC), will aim to reassert himself as a dominant force, while Yadong (23-8-1, 1 NC) looks to add a marquee name to his resume and push into the upper echelon.
Heavyweight Bout: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
Rising heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (13-2), a former professional baseball player, continues his remarkably active schedule, fighting for the sixth time in ten months. Known for his boxing pedigree and consistent activity, Cortes Acosta will face fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis (27-13, 1 NC). Lewis, a veteran of the sport and former title challenger, remains one of the most dangerous power-punchers in the division, with a record-setting number of UFC knockouts. This fight pits Cortes Acosta’s volume and boxing against Lewis’s one-punch knockout threat, promising a high-stakes heavyweight clash.
Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
Featherweight contender Arnold Allen (20-2) makes his long-awaited return to the octagon after an 18-month layoff. "Almighty" Allen, celebrated for his well-rounded skill set and technical striking, was previously on a 10-fight winning streak before his last outing. He will face the explosive knockout artist Jean Silva (15-3), who has quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive style and finishing abilities. This matchup offers Allen an opportunity to re-establish his position among the division’s elite and for Silva to make a significant statement against a highly-ranked opponent.

Preliminary Card Highlights

The preliminary card for UFC 324 is also laden with significant matchups, featuring former champions and rising stars.

Featured Flyweight Prelim: Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas
In a pivotal women’s flyweight contest, former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (17-4) will take on former two-time women’s strawweight champion Rose "Thug Rose" Namajunas (12-7). Grasso famously dethroned Valentina Shevchenko to win the flyweight title and will look to continue her dominance. Namajunas, a fan favorite known for her elusive striking and slick submissions, made her flyweight debut in September 2023. This bout holds significant implications for title contention in the 125-pound division.
Bantamweight Bout: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
An intriguing bantamweight clash pits the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0) against former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson "Deus da Guerra" Figueiredo (23-4-1). Nurmagomedov, cousin to legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, has showcased elite grappling and striking throughout his career, maintaining a perfect record. Figueiredo, having successfully transitioned to the bantamweight division, brings a wealth of championship experience and finishing prowess. This high-level bout is expected to be a technical and action-packed affair, with the winner positioned for a significant climb in the bantamweight rankings.
Middleweight Bout: Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
Rounding out the announced preliminary fights, middleweights Ateba Gautier (10-2) and Andrey Pulyaev (13-4) are set to collide. Both fighters will be looking to make a strong impression on a global stage.

Paramount+ Partnership and Viewing Details

UFC 324 is the inaugural event under a comprehensive media rights agreement between the UFC and Paramount, making all numbered UFC events accessible to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost. This move aims to broaden the sport’s accessibility and reach a wider audience globally.

The event schedule for UFC 324 will see the early preliminary card commence at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 7 p.m. ET. The main card will kick off at a new time of 9 p.m. ET. The entire event, from early prelims to the main card, will be available for streaming exclusively to Paramount+ subscribers. Dana White expressed immense enthusiasm for the partnership, stating in a press release, "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. 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."

Looking Ahead: UFC 325 in Sydney

In addition to the UFC 324 announcements, White also confirmed a significant headliner for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski (26-4) will defend his title against Diego Lopes (24-6). This will be a rematch of their compelling first encounter in April, where Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision victory over the surging Lopes. Volkanovski, a dominant force in the featherweight division, will look to continue his reign, while Lopes aims to avenge his previous loss and capture the coveted championship.

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