Gaethje And Pimblett Ignite UFC 324 On Paramount Plus

The bright lights of Las Vegas shone even brighter on January 24, 2026, as UFC 324 electrified the T-Mobile Arena and marked the dawn of a new broadcast era for the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. This wasn’t just another fight night—it was the first event of the UFC’s blockbuster $7.7 billion broadcast partnership with Paramount+, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. At the heart of the action stood two of the sport’s most compelling figures: former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and surging British superstar Paddy Pimblett, colliding for the interim lightweight title in a main event that had fans buzzing across the globe.

For Justin Gaethje, this bout represented perhaps the final opportunity to reclaim UFC gold. At 37, the American brawler—widely celebrated for his relentless fighting style and a record 14 post-fight bonuses in just as many UFC appearances—entered the Octagon with a career ledger of 26-5. Gaethje, a one-time BMF titleholder, had won three of his last four and was chasing one last run at the summit before contemplating retirement. The stakes were sky-high: “The Highlight” knew this could be his last shot at the top.

Across the cage, Liverpool’s own Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, just 31, was living a dream. After kicking off his UFC career with seven straight wins and racking up a 19-5 record, Pimblett had become one of the sport’s most polarizing and magnetic personalities. His journey to the main event was punctuated by signature victories over Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler, each win fueling his meteoric rise. As Peter Carroll put it, “Nothing more rewarding than seeing someone you cover at grassroots level make it to the biggest stage in the game. Debate about contenders aside, this is a very cool moment for Paddy Pimblett. Let’s see if he can get it done. Biggest challenge he’s ever faced.”

The anticipation was palpable as the T-Mobile Arena filled to capacity. Fans and pundits alike wondered: Would Gaethje’s veteran grit and power be too much, or could Pimblett’s youthful momentum carry him to the interim belt? The answer, at least for now, remains in the balance as the main event was set to cap off a night of unforgettable action.

The event itself was a showcase not just of elite fighting talent, but of the UFC’s ability to adapt and deliver under pressure. Originally, the co-main event was slated to feature Amanda Nunes versus Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight title. However, an injury forced a late change, and fans were instead treated to a high-stakes bantamweight clash between former champion Sean O’Malley and the dangerous Song Yadong. O’Malley, ever the showman, brought his trademark flair to the Octagon and, after three fiercely contested rounds, emerged victorious by unanimous decision (29-28 across the board). “His insistence that he won the fight gets it done,” one live blog noted, as the crowd erupted in approval. O’Malley’s ability to manage distance, land sharp kicks, and survive a grinding second round from Song proved decisive in the judges’ eyes.

The main card delivered one dramatic moment after another. Heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta made headlines by stopping the legendary Derrick Lewis via TKO at 3:14 of round two. The win was the biggest of Cortes-Acosta’s career, with Lewis appearing to slip before being finished by a barrage of punches. “Salsa Boy keeps on keeping on,” one commentator quipped, as Cortes-Acosta’s jab and leg kicks proved too much for the aging Lewis.

Elsewhere, Natalia Silva handed fan-favorite Rose Namajunas a tough loss by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards). Silva’s spinning attacks and late-round takedown sealed the deal, even as the crowd voiced their disappointment. Jean Silva also made a statement, defeating Arnold Allen by unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 and 29-28 (twice), showcasing third-round dominance and emotional post-fight scenes.

The preliminary bouts were equally action-packed. Umar Nurmagomedov, continuing his quest for bantamweight contention, outpointed former champion Deiveson Figueiredo with a clean sweep (30-27 on all cards). Ateba Gautier survived a firefight to defeat Andrey Pulyaev by unanimous decision, while Nikita Krylov delivered a buzzer-beater knockout against Modestas Bukauskas at 4:57 of round three—a highlight-reel finish that had the arena roaring. Alex Perez opened the main card in style, dropping Charles Johnson with a check right hook and finishing the job by TKO at 3:16 of round one.

The early prelims didn’t disappoint either. Josh Hokit kept his winning streak alive with a first-round TKO (retirement) of Denzel Freeman at 4:59, while Ty Miller scored a brutal knockout of Adam Fugitt at the buzzer in round one. The knockout streak was alive and well, with fans treated to a series of explosive finishes as the Paramount+ era began.

Of course, the night wasn’t without hiccups. The event started over an hour later than scheduled due to the last-minute cancellation of two fights: Cameron Smotherman vs. Ricky Turcios was called off when Smotherman collapsed, and Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez was canceled on the morning of the event for undisclosed reasons. Still, the UFC’s production team kept the show rolling, with Bruce Buffer’s iconic introductions and a star-studded commentary crew—including Chris Weidman and Michael Bisping—adding to the spectacle.

UFC 324 also featured a touching tribute as Dominick Cruz was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The former champion, visibly emotional, was honored with a video package and warm applause from the crowd—a reminder of the sport’s rich history even as it pushes boldly into the future.

As the dust settles on a wild night in Las Vegas, one thing is clear: UFC 324 delivered on every promise. The Paramount+ era is off to a roaring start, with new stars rising and legends continuing to make their mark. The interim lightweight title remains up for grabs as Gaethje and Pimblett’s saga continues, and fans everywhere are already counting down the days until the next chapter unfolds inside the Octagon.