Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas is set to host a pivotal moment in mixed martial arts history on January 24, as UFC 324 marks the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s inaugural event under its new partnership with Paramount+. The highly anticipated card, to be held at the T-Mobile Arena, will feature a blockbuster main event for the interim lightweight title between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, alongside a women’s bantamweight championship bout pitting reigning titleholder Kayla Harrison against the returning legend Amanda Nunes.
The announcement of the full fight card for what will be the first numbered event of 2026 was made by UFC CEO Dana White during halftime of the Thanksgiving Day NFL game between the Chiefs and Cowboys. This revelation underscored the significance of the new media rights agreement, which eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model for UFC events, making the entire card accessible to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost. The strategic shift aims to broaden the UFC’s reach and fan engagement.
The main event pits two of the lightweight division’s most explosive fighters against each other for the interim championship. Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, known for his relentless, high-pressure striking style and fan-friendly brawls, enters this contest with a professional record of 26 wins and 4 losses. A former interim lightweight champion himself, Gaethje has consistently delivered memorable performances, earning an unprecedented 14 post-fight bonuses in his 14 UFC appearances, a testament to his all-action approach. His recent victories over Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier have solidified his standing at the top of the division, showcasing his refined striking and resilience.
Facing Gaethje will be the undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, who has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks since his UFC debut. With a perfect 7-0 record inside the Octagon and a professional tally of 24 wins and 3 losses, Pimblett has captivated audiences with his charismatic personality, aggressive grappling, and increasingly dangerous striking. He has collected five performance bonuses during his UFC tenure, highlighting his ability to finish fights spectacularly. Pimblett’s victories over Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon have demonstrated his evolution as a mixed martial artist, positioning him for this career-defining opportunity. The victor of this interim title fight is slated to face the reigning undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, in a unification bout later in the year, setting a clear path for the division’s future.
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The co-main event promises another historic clash, featuring the return of Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in mixed martial arts history, to challenge women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison. Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion (bantamweight and featherweight), retired from the sport in 2023 after a dominant career that saw her defeat an unparalleled roster of legends. Her illustrious hit list includes definitive victories over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko, among others. Nunes’ decision to return after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus adds an extraordinary layer of intrigue to UFC 324, with her aiming to reclaim the title she once held with an iron grip.
Opposing Nunes is Kayla Harrison, an athlete with a decorated background as a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo. Since transitioning to mixed martial arts, Harrison has maintained an undefeated record across various promotions, notably dominating the Professional Fighters League (PFL) where she secured multiple championships. Her move to the UFC last year has seen her continue her winning ways, accumulating a 3-0 record within the promotion, demonstrating her formidable grappling prowess and steadily improving striking. This bout represents a significant test for Harrison against the sport’s most accomplished female fighter, and for Nunes, a chance to solidify her legacy further. Dana White described this contest as "definitely the biggest women’s fight ever," underscoring its historical magnitude.
Beyond the headlining acts, UFC 324 features a robust main card designed to deliver high-octane action. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, with a record of 18 wins and 2 losses, will embark on his journey back to title contention as he faces perennial contender Song Yadong. O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, will aim to re-establish his dominance in a stacked division. Yadong, a consistent top-10 contender with a record of 21 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw, offers a stern challenge with his well-rounded skill set and durability.
In the heavyweight division, the surging Waldo Cortes Acosta (12 wins, 1 loss) will step into the Octagon for an astonishing sixth time in 10 months, taking on the fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis (28 wins, 12 losses, 1 NC). Cortes Acosta’s rapid activity in the past year, including two fights in November alone, highlights his eagerness to climb the ranks, though he faces a significant challenge in Lewis, whose one-punch knockout power remains a threat to any opponent despite recent inconsistencies.
Rounding out the main card is the return of featherweight contender Arnold Allen (19 wins, 3 losses), who will end an 18-month layoff to face knockout artist Jean Silva (13 wins, 2 losses). Allen, a highly ranked contender known for his technical striking and well-rounded game, will look to shake off ring rust against Silva, who has quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive style and finishing ability.
The preliminary card for UFC 324 is equally compelling, featuring a series of high-stakes matchups. The featured prelim will see former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (16 wins, 4 losses) clash with former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (12 wins, 6 losses). This bout holds significant implications for both the flyweight and strawweight divisions, as both fighters aim to position themselves for future title opportunities.
A high-level bantamweight contest is also scheduled, with the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (17 wins, 0 losses), cousin of legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, taking on former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (23 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw). Nurmagomedov’s exceptional grappling and striking have marked him as a top prospect, while Figueiredo, who recently transitioned to bantamweight, seeks to establish himself in a new weight class. Finally, middleweights Ateba Gautier (9 wins, 2 losses) and Andrey Pulyaev (10 wins, 3 losses) are set to collide, adding further depth to the preliminary card.
The broadcast schedule for UFC 324 has been adjusted for the new Paramount+ partnership. The main card will now commence at 9 p.m. ET, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET and the early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET. All portions of the event will be available for streaming to Paramount+ subscribers without any additional charge.
In addition to the details for UFC 324, Dana White also provided an early preview of UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. That event will be headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between Alex Volkanovski (26 wins, 4 losses) and Diego Lopes (24 wins, 6 losses). Volkanovski previously defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title in April of the preceding year, setting the stage for a highly anticipated second encounter on Australian soil.
This new era for the UFC on Paramount+ represents a significant strategic move, aimed at maximizing accessibility for fans and potentially expanding the sport’s global footprint. With a stacked card featuring interim titles, returning legends, and top contenders, UFC 324 is positioned as a landmark event in the promotion’s history.
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