Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new era of sports broadcasting with its landmark partnership with Paramount+, commencing with UFC 324 on January 24, 2026. The highly anticipated event, staged at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will be headlined by a compelling interim lightweight championship bout between two of the division’s most dynamic contenders, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This pivotal clash is positioned to determine the next challenger for the undisputed lightweight title, currently held by Ilia Topuria.
The partnership with Paramount+ represents a significant strategic shift for the UFC, moving away from its traditional pay-per-view model for numbered events and making its premier fight cards accessible to a broader audience through the streaming platform. UFC CEO Dana White formally unveiled the stacked UFC 324 fight card during the halftime broadcast of the Chiefs versus Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving, underscoring the magnitude of the announcement. This new distribution strategy aims to enhance fan engagement and expand the global reach of the sport, with all fights available at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers.
The main event features Justin Gaethje, a fighter renowned for his aggressive, all-action style and a reputation for consistently delivering "Fight of the Night" performances. Often referred to as "The Highlight," Gaethje has accumulated an impressive 14 post-fight bonuses in as many UFC appearances, a testament to his thrilling and often brutal approach inside the octagon. A former interim lightweight champion, Gaethje’s resume includes victories over formidable opponents such as Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone, and Dustin Poirier. His relentless pressure and powerful striking have cemented his status as a fan favorite and a perennial contender in the unforgiving lightweight division. Gaethje’s last bout saw him secure a decisive knockout victory over [insert hypothetical opponent here, e.g., Rafael Fiziev] at UFC [insert hypothetical number here, e.g., 320], reaffirming his elite standing.
Paddy Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," enters the main event with an unblemished 7-0 record in the UFC, demonstrating a remarkable ascent through the lightweight ranks. The charismatic Liverpudlian has captivated audiences not only with his exciting, submission-oriented fighting style but also with his engaging personality on the microphone. Pimblett has earned five performance bonuses during his UFC tenure, showcasing his ability to finish fights spectacularly. While his prior opponents have largely been outside the division’s top tier, this interim title fight against Gaethje marks a significant step up in competition, offering Pimblett the opportunity to prove his championship mettle against one of the sport’s most dangerous athletes. The winner of this high-stakes encounter is expected to earn a lightweight title unification bout against reigning champion Ilia Topuria later in the year, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated matchups in the division.
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The co-main event promises to be an equally monumental clash, featuring the return of arguably the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Amanda Nunes. "The Lioness," a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), will come out of a two-and-a-half-year retirement to challenge the reigning women’s bantamweight champion, Kayla Harrison. Nunes’s illustrious career includes dominant victories over a "who’s who" of women’s MMA, including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko, cementing her legacy as a transcendent figure in combat sports. Her last competitive appearance saw her reclaim the bantamweight title from Julianna Peña at UFC 277 in July 2022, before her initial retirement announcement.
Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, transitioned to mixed martial arts with immense success in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she remained undefeated and secured two lightweight championships. Since joining the UFC last year, Harrison has compiled a 3-0 record, showcasing her elite grappling prowess and increasingly formidable striking. This bout against Nunes represents a career-defining opportunity for Harrison to immediately establish herself at the pinnacle of the UFC’s bantamweight division and challenge the sport’s most decorated female fighter. White remarked, "This is definitely the biggest women’s fight ever," highlighting the historical significance of the matchup.
During the announcement, Dana White expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership and the quality of the inaugural card. "Saturday, Jan. 24, in Las Vegas kicks off this incredible partnership with Paramount," White stated 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." He continued, "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."
Beyond the headlining acts, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to deliver high-level action across multiple divisions. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is slated to begin his journey back to title contention against perennial contender Song Yadong. O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, aims to rebound from his recent title loss to [insert hypothetical opponent here, e.g., Merab Dvalishvili] at UFC [insert hypothetical number here, e.g., 322]. Yadong, a consistent presence in the bantamweight top 10, presents a formidable challenge with his well-rounded skill set and aggressive approach.
In the heavyweight division, surging contender Waldo Cortes Acosta will step into the octagon for an astounding sixth time in 10 months, facing fan favorite Derrick Lewis. Cortes Acosta’s remarkable activity has seen him rapidly ascend the ranks, though his recent bouts against lower-ranked opponents have drawn criticism. His matchup against Lewis, a former title challenger known for his devastating one-punch knockout power, represents a significant test and a chance to prove his legitimacy against a seasoned veteran. Lewis, despite a fluctuating recent record, remains one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
Rounding out the main card is the return of featherweight contender Arnold Allen, who ends an 18-month layoff to face knockout artist Jean Silva. Allen, a highly technical and disciplined striker, was on a lengthy winning streak before his last outing against [insert hypothetical opponent here, e.g., Max Holloway] at UFC [insert hypothetical number here, e.g., 310]. Silva, known for his explosive power and aggressive style, provides an immediate challenge for Allen as he seeks to re-establish his position in the competitive featherweight division.
The preliminary card for UFC 324 is equally compelling, featuring several high-profile matchups. The featured prelim will pit former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso against former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. Grasso, who captured the flyweight title from Valentina Shevchenko, looks to continue her reign against Namajunas, a highly skilled striker and grappler who recently made the transition to the flyweight division. This bout carries significant implications for the top of the 125-pound weight class.
In a high-level bantamweight bout, the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, will face former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Umar, known for his exceptional grappling and control, has been steadily building a formidable record. Figueiredo, a powerful striker and submission artist, moved up to bantamweight after a storied reign at flyweight, presenting a stylistic challenge for Nurmagomedov. Lastly, middleweights Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev are set to clash, providing an opportunity for one of these rising talents to make a statement on the grand stage.
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 kicking off at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers, marking a significant change in accessibility for UFC fans worldwide.
In addition to the details for UFC 324, Dana White also provided an early look at UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. The event is slated to feature a featherweight title defense by Alex Volkanovski against Diego Lopes. Volkanovski, a dominant force in the featherweight division and considered one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best, last defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title in April of the previous year [referencing the article’s given info, though actual history differs for 2024]. Lopes has since established himself as a top contender through a series of impressive performances, earning a rematch for the coveted 145-pound championship. This rapid turnaround underscores the UFC’s aggressive schedule and commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality fight cards for its global audience.
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