Gaethje And Pimblett Set For UFC 324 Showdown As Weigh-In Drama Shakes Las Vegas

The stage is set for a blockbuster start to the UFC’s 2026 campaign, as UFC 324 storms into Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on January 24. But the drama began well before the first punch or kick—Friday’s official weigh-ins delivered a wild mix of anticipation, controversy, and genuine concern that’s left the MMA world buzzing.

Perhaps the most chilling moment came when bantamweight contender Cameron Smotherman, having just made weight at 135.5 pounds, staggered and collapsed face-first as he exited the stage. Spectators and officials watched in horror as Smotherman’s body convulsed and medical staff rushed to his side. According to a UFC spokesperson, “Cameron was transported to a local hospital for precautionary evaluations and is now being discharged.” While Smotherman appeared conscious before being carried off, the scare was enough to see his bout with Ricky Turcios, who had weighed in at 136 pounds, pulled from the card. For Smotherman, a former Fury FC Bantamweight champion with a UFC record of 1-2 and six knockout wins, this marks another setback after recent losses to Serhiy Sidey and Ricky Simón. The cancellation is particularly tough for fans eager to see how he’d rebound after a rough 2025.

But the weigh-in drama didn’t end there. Two UFC veterans, Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez, missed weight by 2.5 pounds each—Figueiredo tipping the scales at 138.5 pounds for his bantamweight clash with Umar Nurmagomedov (who made the 136-pound limit), and Perez coming in at 128.5 pounds ahead of his flyweight contest with Charles Johnson (126 pounds). Both fighters will forfeit 20 percent of their purses, but their fights will proceed as catchweight bouts. Weight-cutting controversies are nothing new in MMA, but such high-profile misses—especially in the era of stricter scrutiny—always raise eyebrows. As boxing’s history with weight fines and sauna suits shows, the tension between athlete safety and competitive edge is as old as the sport itself.

Fortunately, the top of the card saw no such hiccups. The interim lightweight championship main event between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett is officially on, with both stars making weight—Pimblett at 154 pounds and Gaethje at 155. The co-main event, a bantamweight showdown between Sean O’Malley (135.5 pounds) and Song Yadong (136 pounds), also went off without a hitch. The rest of the main card features Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (262 vs. 263.5 pounds), Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas (126 vs. 125.5 pounds), and Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (145.5 vs. 146 pounds), promising a night packed with action and high stakes.

The main event carries even more weight—figuratively, at least—given the storylines swirling around both Gaethje and Pimblett. Gaethje, who once held the interim lightweight strap for five months in 2020, sees this as his last, best shot at glory. "I'm very excited for this opportunity," Gaethje declared at the pre-fight press conference. “I'd be foolish to think this is the beginning of my career. This is my last chance, and this opportunity to finish my career off the way that I want to is everything I could ask for.” He added, “I have not been perfect, and it’s hard for people to understand that…It's impossible to be perfect the entire time.” Gaethje’s resume is stacked—he’s fought the best, suffered a brutal knockout by Max Holloway at UFC 300, but bounced back with a win over Rafael Fiziev. Now, he’s gunning for one last run, with the possibility of facing undisputed champion Ilia Topuria if he prevails.

Paddy Pimblett, meanwhile, is riding high after a decisive win over Michael Chandler nine months ago. Turning 31 earlier this month, Pimblett has his sights set on gold and a potential showdown with Topuria, who is currently on a personal hiatus. “People keep saying you're probably going to end up like Tom [Aspinall] when you win, it'll get upgraded, because Ilia's not going to be back for at least a year,” Pimblett said. “If he's going to sit out for that long, I would rather him just vacate and stop holding the division up. But I do want to fight him, so it's a catch-22.” Pimblett’s confidence is palpable—he’s promised to “put a beatdown” on Gaethje and is eyeing a dual birthday and world title celebration. With Topuria’s absence looming, the winner of this bout could find themselves elevated to undisputed status sooner than expected.

UFC 324 also marks a new era in how fans will experience the sport. The event is the first under the UFC’s exclusive seven-year, $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount+, making the service the go-to destination for all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights through 2033. Stateside fans can stream every fight—including the prelims and main card—live on Paramount+ without any additional pay-per-view fees. Subscriptions start at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, with a premium tier offering ad-free viewing and extra perks. For UK and Irish fans, TNT Sports Box Office is the place to be, with the event available for £19.99 across multiple platforms. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET, with early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET, ensuring a full evening of MMA action.

The UFC 324 fight card is stacked, even with Smotherman-Turcios scratched. Main card highlights include Gaethje vs. Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, O’Malley vs. Yadong in the bantamweight co-main, Cortes-Acosta vs. Lewis in a heavyweight slugfest, Silva vs. Namajunas in women’s flyweight, and Allen vs. Jean Silva in featherweight. The prelims feature Nurmagomedov vs. Figueiredo, Gautier vs. Pulyaev, Krylov vs. Bukauskas, and Perez vs. Johnson, among others. Early prelims bring Johnson vs. Hernandez, Hokit vs. Freeman, and Fugitt vs. Miller to the octagon.

Looking ahead, UFC fans can expect a packed schedule in 2026, with UFC 325 set for Sydney on February 1 and multiple Fight Nights lined up across the globe. But for now, all eyes are on Las Vegas, where the Gaethje-Pimblett showdown, the O’Malley-Yadong bantamweight clash, and the fallout from weigh-in controversies promise a night of unforgettable combat.

As the UFC embarks on its new streaming era, the stakes have never been higher—inside and outside the cage. With storylines, rivalries, and a few surprises already in play, UFC 324 is shaping up to be an electrifying start to the year. Stay tuned as the action unfolds live from T-Mobile Arena, with the world watching and waiting for the next chapter in MMA history.