UFC 324: Start Time for Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje Title Fight

UFC 324 Schedule and Full Fight Card

Early Prelims: 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT

• Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller (Welterweight)
• Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman (Men’s Bantamweight)
• Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)
• Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)

Preliminary Card: 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

• Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson (Men’s Flyweight)
• Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas (Light Heavyweight)
• Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
• Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Men’s Bantamweight)

Main Card: 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

• Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight)
• Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas (Women's Flyweight)
• Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)
• Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong (Bantamweight)

Main Event (Estimated Time): 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT

• Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight Interim Championship)

Note for all you Paddy Pimblett fans in the U.K., the main card begins at 2 a.m. GMT.

How to Watch UFC 324 Live

For U.S. viewers, the entire event, including the main card, is available to stream on Paramount+ with a subscription. This is a departure from the traditional pay-per-view model for numbered events.

For U.K. fans, the main card and prelims can be purchased through TNT Sports Box Office or Paramount+. The early prelims are on UFC Fight Pass and Paramount+.

Main Event Breakdown

The headliner is a fascinating clash of styles and generations. 

Justin Gaethje is a battle-tested veteran known for his devastating leg kicks, brawling mentality, and a record-setting 14 consecutive post-fight bonuses. 

His primary objective is to keep the fight standing, where he can use his volume (landing 6.31 significant strikes per minute) and power to break down opponents, though his aggressive style comes with a cost, as he also absorbs a high rate of strikes

Paddy Pimblett, a polarizing and undefeated rising star, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a slick ground game and improving striking.

Love him or hate him, Pimblett is incredibly adept at creating scrambles, taking the back, and aggressively hunting for submissions, an area Gaethje has had trouble with in the past. 

Pimblett also walks into the cage with a size advantage and youth on his side. Gaethje, at 37 years old, may not be able to move as freely as he used to and may not be able to implement his boxing if met with knees or a suffocating clinch.

This bout was created after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria announced he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 as he is dealing with a legal dispute. The winner will become the interim lightweight champion and is guaranteed a shot at the undisputed title later this year.