The bright lights of Las Vegas are shining even brighter this weekend as UFC 324 storms into the T-Mobile Arena, kicking off not just a new year of mixed martial arts but also a bold new era for the sport. With the UFC’s blockbuster $7.7 billion broadcast deal now in effect, Paramount+ becomes the exclusive home for fight fans, and what a way to start! Saturday, January 25, 2026, marks the first UFC event of the Paramount Era, and the card is absolutely stacked with high-stakes matchups and title implications across multiple divisions.
Headlining the night is a tantalizing interim lightweight championship showdown between two of the division’s most electrifying personalities: Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. For Gaethje, a fighter who’s held the interim title before and is the proud owner of the ceremonial BMF belt, Saturday represents perhaps the last, best chance to finally claim undisputed UFC gold. At 37, Gaethje’s resume is already legendary—bonus machine, all-action brawler, and as reliable a main event as the sport has ever seen. Coming off a unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev in 2025, Gaethje’s hunger for glory hasn’t dimmed one bit. "This is my moment to seize," Gaethje declared during pre-fight interviews. "I know what’s at stake and I’m ready to give everything I have."
Standing in his way is the undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, a fighter who’s become a sensation both inside and outside the Octagon. Pimblett’s rise through the lightweight ranks has been nothing short of meteoric, stringing together seven consecutive UFC victories and earning this interim title shot with a dramatic third-round stoppage of Michael Chandler last April. The charismatic Scouser has made a habit of exceeding expectations, and with the reigning champ Ilia Topuria sidelined due to personal matters, Pimblett now finds himself one win away from setting up a massive undisputed title clash down the road. "Every time they say I’ve hit my limit, I show them there’s more to come," Pimblett told UFC.com. "This is just the next step on my journey."
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the stylistic matchup is intriguing. Gaethje’s relentless pressure and devastating power have made him a fan favorite, but questions linger about whether his body can withstand another grueling war. Pimblett, meanwhile, brings creativity, slick grappling, and a confidence that borders on the audacious. With both men hungry and the division in flux, fans can expect fireworks when the cage door closes.
But the action doesn’t stop there. The co-main event features a pivotal bantamweight battle between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong, both of whom are jockeying for position in a division that’s been turned upside down by recent upsets. O’Malley, the flamboyant striker with a knack for highlight-reel finishes, is looking to snap a two-fight skid after back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili. Yet, with a previous win over current champ Petr Yan, O’Malley knows that a victory here could catapult him right back into title contention. "I’ve been here before, and I know how to bounce back," O’Malley said in a pre-fight press conference. "Song is tough, but I’m coming in sharper than ever."
Song Yadong, at just 28, is already a veteran of the Octagon and enters this bout on the heels of a signature win over Henry Cejudo. With a 3-1 record in his last four outings, the Chinese standout has quietly built a case as one of the division’s most dangerous threats. The winner of this clash could very well find themselves next in line for a shot at the belt, especially with the division’s top contenders locked in their own battles.
Heavyweight fireworks are also on tap as Waldo Cortes-Acosta squares off against Derrick Lewis. Cortes-Acosta, who went 4-1 in 2025 with three knockouts, is eager to prove he belongs among the elite. "I know what Derrick brings, but I’m not here to play it safe," Cortes-Acosta told reporters. On the other side, Derrick Lewis—aka "The Black Beast"—remains one of the most feared punchers in UFC history, holding the record for most knockouts in the promotion with 16. His 35-second TKO of Tallison Teixeira last July served as a reminder that he’s always one punch away from changing the course of a fight. "They don’t call me The Black Beast for nothing," Lewis quipped. "I’m always looking for that finish."
The women’s flyweight division gets a shakeup as well, with undefeated Octagon standout Natalia Silva taking on former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas. Silva is riding a 13-fight winning streak and has notched back-to-back victories over former champions Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso. Namajunas, meanwhile, has found new life at 125 pounds, most recently earning a quality win over Miranda Maverick. This matchup promises a technical striking showcase, with Silva’s dynamic movement and Namajunas’ crisp boxing likely to play pivotal roles. "I respect Rose, but I’m here to show I’m the next in line for the title," Silva said.
The main card opens with a featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and Jean Silva. Allen, a Top 15 mainstay, is looking to regain momentum after injuries slowed his ascent. Silva, known for his aggressive style and finishing ability, is eager to bounce back from a tough loss to Diego Lopes. Both men have shown flashes of brilliance, and this fight could determine who moves closer to title contention in a stacked division.
For fans eager to watch, UFC 324 marks a new chapter in how the sport is consumed. The early prelims start at 5 p.m. Eastern on UFC Fight Pass, with the prelims at 7 p.m. and the main card kicking off at 9 p.m. Eastern exclusively on Paramount+. Subscription plans start at $8.99 per month for the Essential package, with a Premium ad-free option available for $13.99. The move to Paramount+ is a game-changer, doubling the revenue from the UFC’s previous ESPN deal and promising fans a more streamlined, all-in-one experience for major events and Fight Nights alike.
Beyond the main card, the prelims are packed with compelling matchups, including Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev, Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas, and more. Each fight carries its own implications for the rankings and future title shots, ensuring that the action will be non-stop from the opening bell.
With so many storylines converging—new broadcast partners, interim titles up for grabs, and a host of rising stars and established veterans—UFC 324 is shaping up to be a night to remember. Whether you’re tuning in for the championship drama, the heavy-handed knockouts, or the technical battles, this card has something for every fight fan. As the fighters make their final preparations and Las Vegas buzzes with anticipation, one thing is certain: the Paramount Era is off to a thrilling start, and UFC 324 is set to deliver an unforgettable night inside the Octagon.
With the main event and its implications for the lightweight division, the co-main’s title ramifications, and a host of intriguing matchups throughout the card, all eyes will be on T-Mobile Arena as the UFC ushers in a new age of combat sports entertainment. Stay tuned as the action unfolds—because in the fight game, anything can happen and history is always just one punch away.