Las Vegas, NV – The UFC is kicking off its new era on Paramount+ with an absolutely stacked lineup, bringing two massive title fights and a deep slate of elite matchups to T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, January 24, 2026. UFC 324: GAETHJE vs. PIMBLETT marks the promotion’s first live event on the streaming platform—and it’s arriving with championship implications, star power, and serious consequences for multiple divisions.
Interim Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett
The main event showcases one of the most anticipated clashes of 2026 as former interim lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje (#4) collides with rising superstar Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett (#5) for the interim UFC lightweight title.
Gaethje (26-5), the king of chaos and owner of a perfect 14 performance bonuses in 14 UFC appearances, returns with one goal: become the first two-time interim lightweight champion in UFC history. Known for iconic wins over Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson, Gaethje enters determined to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss and add another violent chapter to his legendary résumé.
Pimblett (23-3) arrives unbeaten in seven UFC bouts and fresh off a surge of momentum that includes spectacular finishes of Michael Chandler, King Green, and Jordan Leavitt. The Liverpool star steps into his first UFC main event with championship stakes and the opportunity to silence critics while elevating himself into the division’s elite.
This is striker vs. finisher, chaos vs. charisma, experience vs. momentum—everything a lightweight war should be.
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
In the co-main event, the UFC women’s bantamweight title is on the line as reigning champion Kayla Harrison defends her belt against returning legend and UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes.
Harrison (19-1), the groundbreaking two-time Olympic gold medalist and UFC champion, has stormed into the bantamweight division with dominant wins over Julianna Peña, Ketlen Vieira and Holly Holm. Now she looks to erase any doubt in the G.O.A.T. conversation by besting the woman long considered the standard of female greatness.
Nunes (23-5), the first two-division female UFC champion and the owner of virtually every major bantamweight record—knockouts, finishes, wins, takedowns—returns to competition for the first time since 2023. Motivated, rested, and holding a career’s worth of accolades, Nunes plans to reclaim gold and spoil Harrison’s rise.
This matchup is as big as it gets: a current champion chasing legacy versus a legend returning to defend hers.
Featured Bouts
Sean O’Malley (#2) vs. Song Yadong (#5) – Bantamweight
A high-octane striking duel between a former champion and one of China’s most dangerous finishers. Expect fireworks from the opening bell.
Waldo Cortes Acosta (#5) vs. Derrick Lewis (#8) – Heavyweight
Cortes Acosta continues his rapid climb, but standing across from him is Derrick Lewis, the UFC’s knockout king. This one is unlikely to require judges.
Arnold Allen (#6) vs. Jean Silva (#11) – Featherweight
A crucial fight for title positioning as Allen looks to reclaim momentum, while Silva seeks a breakthrough signature win.
Natalia Silva (#2) vs. Rose Namajunas (#6) – Women’s Flyweight
A technical dream matchup. Silva has surged into contender status, but Rose brings championship pedigree and elite experience.
Umar Nurmagomedov (#1) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (#6) – Bantamweight
A potential No. 1 contender fight. Umar’s smothering grappling meets the explosive former flyweight champion in a clash of elite talents.
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev – Middleweight
Two powerful finishers collide in a fight almost guaranteed to end early.
Nikita Krylov (#13) vs. Modestas Bukauskas – Light Heavyweight
A high-stakes battle for relevance in a division undergoing major shifts.
Alex Perez (#11) vs. Charles Johnson (#13) – Flyweight
Perez returns quickly in a fast, scrappy matchup that could produce a breakthrough contender.
Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez – Lightweight
Two veterans with heavy hands and a history of action-packed fights. Don’t blink.
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman – Heavyweight
An undefeated prospect meets a dangerous finisher—this one could shape the heavyweight landscape of the future.
Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman – Bantamweight
High pace, high volume, high chaos: a perfect early card scrap.
Event Details
- Event: UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Main Card: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
- Prelims: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Early Prelims: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
- Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m. PT via AXS.com (limit 8 per person).
UFC Fight Club pre-sale begins Wednesday, December 10, and UFC newsletter subscribers receive early access Thursday, December 11.
VIP packages are available through UFC VIP Experience at UFCVIP.com, offering premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, and exclusive meet-and-greets.
For updates and bout changes, visit UFC.com. All bouts subject to change.
