Ali Akbar RosadyThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a monumental fight card for UFC 324, scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event, which marks the highly anticipated launch of the UFC’s extensive partnership with Paramount, will be headlined by an interim lightweight championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, alongside a compelling bantamweight title clash featuring Kayla Harrison and the returning Amanda Nunes. The announcement, made by UFC President Dana White during a special appearance on the CBS broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on Thursday, signals a strategic move to integrate UFC content into mainstream sports programming from the outset of the new broadcasting agreement.
UFC 324 represents the first of 13 numbered events slated for 2026 under the new Paramount partnership, underscoring the promotion’s commitment to delivering high-profile matchups to a broader audience. The decision to introduce an interim lightweight title stems from reigning champion Ilia Topuria’s recent declaration that he would not be competing in the first quarter of 2026. This move by UFC officials ensures the lightweight division remains active and a clear contender emerges in Topuria’s absence.
Justin Gaethje (26-5), a former interim lightweight champion himself, enters the fray with a well-established reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting and durable fighters. Known as "The Highlight" for his aggressive, high-pressure striking style and propensity for delivering "Fight of the Night" performances, Gaethje has consistently operated at the elite level of the lightweight division. His career boasts significant victories over top-tier opponents, often securing finishes with his powerful punches and relentless pace. Gaethje had previously expressed his intention to wait for a direct title shot against the winner of the vacant championship fight between Topuria and Charles Oliveira, which took place in June. Following Topuria’s decisive victory over Oliveira, Gaethje had reiterated his desire to patiently await his opportunity, even pointing to a potential date on the UFC White House card in June. However, the unexpected interim title opportunity appears to have shifted his immediate focus.
Gaethje’s most recent outing saw him return to the win column with a dominant "Fight of the Night" performance against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March. In that contest, Gaethje showcased his refined striking and resilience, overcoming Fiziev in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately went to a decision. This victory was crucial for Gaethje, as it allowed him to rebound from a knockout loss of his BMF title to Max Holloway at UFC 300. The Holloway fight, widely regarded as one of the most thrilling encounters in UFC history, saw Gaethje fall victim to a last-second knockout in a bout he had largely been competitive in. Prior to that, Gaethje had captured the BMF title by stopping Dustin Poirier with a head kick at UFC 291 in July 2023, showcasing his ability to finish high-level competition. His path through the lightweight division has seen him face and defeat numerous former champions and top contenders, solidifying his status as a perennial threat to the title.
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Across the Octagon, Paddy Pimblett (23-3) has emerged as one of the UFC’s most rapidly ascending stars. "The Baddy," a native of Liverpool, England, brings a charismatic personality and a dangerous grappling-focused style, complemented by increasingly confident striking. Pimblett’s rise has been marked by a series of impressive performances and a passionate fan following. His last appearance in the Octagon saw him deliver a dominant performance against former title challenger Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April, securing a decisive victory that further cemented his contender status. This win extended his impressive run within the UFC, where he has amassed a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses.
Pimblett’s journey to the interim title shot has been swift and impactful. Prior to his victory over Chandler, he had rattled off six consecutive wins in the UFC, showcasing both his submission prowess and his evolving striking. Notable among these wins were a decision victory over veteran Tony Ferguson and a submission win over Bobby Green, both of which demonstrated his ability to adapt and overcome experienced opponents. Beyond his in-cage performances, Pimblett has also been vocal about his desire to confront Ilia Topuria, with the two fighters even squaring off after UFC 317, signaling a burgeoning rivalry that could culminate in a unification bout. The winner of this interim lightweight championship contest between Gaethje and Pimblett is expected to face Ilia Topuria later in 2026 to unify the lightweight championship, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash.
In the co-main event, the women’s bantamweight championship will be contested between two titans of the sport: Kayla Harrison (19-1) and the returning "Lioness" Amanda Nunes (23-5). Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and a dominant PFL champion, made a seamless transition to the UFC, quickly establishing herself as a formidable force. Her grappling pedigree is unparalleled in women’s MMA, and she has consistently showcased her ability to control and submit opponents throughout her career. Harrison earned her shot at the UFC bantamweight title by submitting former champion Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June, a victory that immediately positioned her at the top of the division. Following her win, Harrison famously called Nunes into the Octagon, setting the stage for a future showdown that now materializes at UFC 324. Her record in professional MMA, excluding her PFL championships, stands at an impressive 19 wins with only a single loss, highlighting her overwhelming dominance.
Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, will make her highly anticipated return to the sport after a two-year hiatus. "The Lioness" previously held both the UFC bantamweight and featherweight championships simultaneously, a feat that cemented her legacy. Her resume includes victories over a murderers’ row of former champions and legends, including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, and Valentina Shevchenko. Nunes’ last competitive appearance was in June 2023 at UFC 289, where she successfully defended her 135-pound championship against Irena Aldana with a dominant performance. Following that victory, Nunes laid down both of her championship belts in the Octagon and announced her immediate retirement from the sport, citing a desire to focus on her family. Her unexpected return, two years later, to reclaim her bantamweight throne adds an extraordinary layer of intrigue to UFC 324. This comeback fight is not only a chance for Nunes to reassert her dominance but also a significant moment for the sport, as one of its most celebrated athletes steps back into competition.
The stacked UFC 324 card will also feature a pivotal bantamweight clash between former champion Sean O’Malley and rising contender Song Yadong. Sean O’Malley (18-3, 1 NC), known as "Suga" for his flashy striking and dynamic style, is looking to rebound from consecutive losses to current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley first lost his title to Dvalishvili via decision at Noche UFC inside the Sphere, and then suffered a third-round submission loss in their rematch at UFC 316. This fight against Yadong is critical for O’Malley to regain momentum and re-establish himself as a top contender in the highly competitive bantamweight division. Song Yadong (22-8-1, 1 NC) enters the bout coming off a controversial technical decision win over Henry Cejudo in February. During that contest, Yadong was gaining an advantage before an accidental eyepoke rendered Cejudo unable to continue, resulting in the decision. Yadong, a powerful and skilled striker, represents a significant challenge for O’Malley and a win could propel him into title contention.
Further enhancing the main card’s appeal is a flyweight matchup between former champions Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas. Alexa Grasso (16-5-1), who previously held the flyweight title, is currently on a two-fight losing skid. She lost her championship in a trilogy fight against Valentina Shevchenko and subsequently dropped a decision to Natalia Silva at UFC 315. Grasso will be seeking to halt her downturn and re-enter the title picture against another former champion. Rose Namajunas (14-7), a two-time former strawweight champion, has found success since moving up to the 125-pound division, compiling a 3-1 record at flyweight. Her most recent victory was a decision win over Miranda Maverick at UFC Atlanta, showcasing her adaptation to the new weight class. This fight promises a high-level technical striking battle with significant implications for the flyweight rankings.
Another former champion, Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1), will also be in action at UFC 324, facing top bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1). Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion, has successfully transitioned to the bantamweight division and continues to be a formidable presence. Nurmagomedov, an elite grappler and striker, recently bounced back from his sole career loss in a title fight against Merab Dvalishvili by defeating the streaking Mario Bautista, reasserting his status as a leading contender. This bout pits a veteran champion against one of the division’s most promising and dangerous prospects, with significant implications for the bantamweight title picture.
The extensive fight card also includes a heavyweight clash between fan-favorite Derrick Lewis and the surging Waldo Cortes-Acosta, promising a powerful and potentially explosive encounter. In the featherweight division, Arnold Allen will take on Jean Silva, a matchup that could propel Silva into the top rankings if he can overcome the established veteran Allen. Finally, a middleweight bout between Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev rounds out the initial announcements, adding further depth to an already stacked event.
UFC 324 is poised to be a landmark event, not only for the caliber of its matchups but also as the inaugural numbered event of the new Paramount partnership, signaling an ambitious and exciting future for the UFC’s broadcasting landscape.
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