Justin Gaethje Vs. Paddy Pimblett Headlines UFC 324

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim UFC lightweight championship at UFC 324. 

The card marks the UFC’s first event under Paramount+, which is slated for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The winner is expected to earn a title shot against reigning lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria. Gaethje is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March 2025. It was the perfect response after his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, as he lost his BMF belt. Pimblett solidified his contender status with the biggest win of his career, stopping Michael Chandler in the third round in April 2025. 

In chief support, Kayla Harrison, the current Women’s Bantamweight Champion, will make her first title defense against Amanda Nunes. Nunes ends a two-and-a-half-year retirement to attempt to capture the bantamweight belt for a third time. Harrison won the title with a second-round finish of Julianna Peña in June. 

White also revealed that UFC 325 will take place on January 31 in Sydney, Australia. That will be headlined by featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski, who will defend his title against Diego Lopes. This bout is a rematch of their clash from April 12, 2025, where Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight belt. 

White Reacts

“Saturday, January 24th in Las Vegas kicks off this incredible partnership with Paramount. I am so excited for UFC fans that our first card has six current and former champions, including the long-awaited return of the greatest female fighter of all time – which is definitely the biggest women’s fight ever.

“Also, in the main event we have Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title to see who will face Ilia Topuria later this year on Paramount+. This card is absolutely stacked – every fight is a must-see. This deal is such a huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view. I look forward to 2026 being our best year ever,” White said

Current Card

Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, interim lightweight title

Kayla Harrison (c) vs. Amanda Nunes, women’s bantamweight title

Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, bantamweight

Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis, heavyweight

Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva, featherweight