UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett kicks off the new Paramount+ era for the UFC, with a battle for the vacant interim lightweight title in the main event. Full breakdown and complete fight card.
The brand new, no-pay-per-view era of the UFC kicks off Saturday night in Las Vegas as T-Mobile Arena, as UFC 324 delivers a night of top fights on Paramount+.
Ahead of Fight Night, we take a look at the three fights that will draw the most attention ahead of Fight Night in Sin City.
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: “Paddy The Baddy’s” big shot
The main event match between former interim champion Gaethje and former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Pimblett is a casual fight fan’s dream match.
Simply put, Gaethje is the most entertaining fighter in the history of the UFC lightweight division. “The Highlight” has captured the interim lightweight title and the BMF title in a career that has seen him labeled “your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter.”
He has the tenacity and durability to drag any fighter into deep waters, and the power to finish just about anyone once they get there.
It means Pimblett, who many believe has not been properly tested at the elite level, faces the toughest test of his MMA career. But the Liverpool lightweight remains undefeated in the UFC and has gradually improved his game from fight to fight.
Now Pimblett finds himself within striking distance of a title, and he will have to improve his game even further to get past Gaethje. The big question now is: can he do it?
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong: Which competitor breaks into the title fight
Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley takes on rising Chinese contender Song Yadong in a fight that could push the winner toward a title shot later this year — or, at worst, a title eliminator.
For O’Malley, the big question is how he will fare against another strong opponent, and what adjustments he has made since his title loss to Merab Dvalishvili and subsequent defeat in their rematch. His level has been market corrected by the Georgian and he has gone back to the drawing board. It will be very interesting to see what the latest version of “The Suga Show” looks like.
He will face Song, who is in good shape, is an all-around good fighter and looks to take his star power to the next level by defeating one of the biggest stars in the bantamweight division.
Whoever wins will be there or there for a title shot or a title eliminator, but the fight itself should be a fascinating clash between two fighters who have a huge advantage for the UFC if they find themselves in title contention in 2026.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis: Will “Salsa Boy” Momentum Continue?
The heavyweight matchup between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Derrick Lewis could go either way.
Both men possess combat prowess, and Lewis in particular has the ability to shut out the lights of every human on Earth with one blow. MMA gloves recorded more knockouts than any fighter in UFC history, and he will look to add to that tally when he faces Cortes-Acosta, who had an incredible 2025.
“Salsa Boy” fought five times in 2025 and won four, moving up the heavyweight rankings. Now he’s ranked above Lewis, but he knows a win over one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division will set him up for a top match later this year.
Will Cortes-Acosta continue his remarkable momentum at UFC 324, or will one punch from “The Black Beast” bring everything crashing down? Don’t blink.
Simon Head is Editor-in-Chief at renowned combat sports equipment company RDX Sports. Check out their latest range MMA fighting gear Today. Simon Head can be found at X: @simonheadspor
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