UFC 324 Marks Paramount+ Launch with Gaethje-Pimblett Interim Lightweight Championship and Star-Studded Card.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new broadcasting era with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026, as UFC 324 takes center stage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This landmark event, the first under the exclusive partnership between UFC and Paramount+, will be headlined by a highly anticipated interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The card was officially unveiled by UFC CEO Dana White during the halftime segment of the Thanksgiving Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game, signaling a significant shift in how fans will access premium UFC content, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model.

The main event features Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), a former interim lightweight champion renowned for his relentless, high-octane fighting style that has earned him the moniker "The Human Highlight Reel." Gaethje boasts an impressive track record of 14 post-fight bonuses in his 12 UFC appearances, a testament to his fan-friendly, all-action approach. His recent performances include a spectacular knockout victory over Dustin Poirier to claim the BMF title, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport. Standing opposite Gaethje will be the undefeated Paddy Pimblett (21-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), affectionately known as "The Baddy." Pimblett has quickly ascended the lightweight ranks since his UFC debut, demonstrating a potent combination of submission skills, improving striking, and undeniable charisma both inside the octagon and on the microphone. His seven-fight undefeated streak in the UFC, punctuated by five performance bonuses, highlights his capacity to deliver memorable finishes. The victor of this interim title clash is slated to face reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria later in the year in a title unification bout, setting the stage for a pivotal period in the 155-pound division.

The co-main event promises another historic encounter as women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison (18-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) defends her title against the returning Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC). This bout marks the highly anticipated comeback of Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. "The Lioness," a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion, retired in 2023 after a dominant reign that included victories over legends such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko. Her return after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus to challenge for the bantamweight championship underscores the magnitude of this event. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, has transitioned seamlessly into MMA, maintaining an undefeated record and showcasing formidable grappling and ground-and-pound skills. Her 3-0 record since joining the UFC last year, following a decorated career outside the promotion, positions her as a formidable champion. The clash between these two elite athletes is being heralded by Dana White as "the biggest women’s fight ever," a testament to the skill and legacy involved.

"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. 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."

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Beyond the twin headliners, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to captivate audiences. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) embarks on his journey back to title contention, facing perennial contender Song Yadong (21-7-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC). O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and "Suga" persona, will aim to reassert his dominance against Yadong, a durable and powerful striker who consistently delivers exciting performances. In the heavyweight division, surging contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is slated for his sixth fight in ten months, taking on fan favorite Derrick Lewis (27-12 MMA, 18-10 UFC). Cortes Acosta’s remarkable activity and boxing background will be tested by Lewis, "The Black Beast," whose one-punch knockout power has made him a perennial threat and record-holder for most knockouts in UFC history. Rounding out the main card, featherweight contender Arnold Allen (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) makes his return after an 18-month layoff, facing knockout artist Jean Silva (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Allen, a well-rounded and technical fighter, will seek to reclaim his momentum against Silva, who has rapidly made a name for himself with highlight-reel finishes.

The preliminary card also boasts significant matchups, led by a featured bout between former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC). This high-stakes contest pits two of the sport’s most skilled female athletes against each other, with significant implications for their respective divisions. In a high-level bantamweight clash, undefeated prospect Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), known for his dominant Dagestani wrestling, will face former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (23-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC), who has successfully transitioned to the 135-pound division. Lastly, middleweights Ateba Gautier (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Andrey Pulyaev (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) are set to collide.

The UFC 324 main card will commence at a new broadcast time of 9 p.m. ET. The preliminary card will begin at 7 p.m. ET, with the early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming at no additional cost for Paramount+ subscribers, marking a significant departure from the previous PPV model and enhancing accessibility for fans.

In addition to the UFC 324 details, Dana White also announced a key headliner for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will defend his title against Diego Lopes (23-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC). Volkanovski, a dominant force in the featherweight division, previously secured a unanimous decision victory over Lopes in a non-title bout last April, adding another layer of anticipation to their championship rematch.