Interim Lightweight Championship Showdown
With reigning champion Ilia Topuria confirming he won’t return until later in 2026, the UFC has moved quickly to establish an interim titleholder in the stacked lightweight division. The matchup pairs rising Liverpool star Paddy Pimblett with experienced knockout artist Justin Gaethje in what promises to be a high-profile war with championship implications.
The interim title fight represents the biggest opportunity of Pimblett’s career, pitting his charismatic personality and improving skills against Gaethje’s established reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history. For Gaethje, it presents a chance to reclaim UFC gold after previously capturing the interim lightweight championship earlier in his career.
Paramount+ era begins with stacked cards
UFC 324 marks the beginning of the promotion’s groundbreaking partnership with Paramount+, making major events available to subscribers without additional pay-per-view fees. The January 24 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas features multiple championship fights and established stars across the lineup.
🚨START THE YEAR RIGHT 🚨
The first card of 2026 is STACKED!
Watch #UFC324 LIVE from January 24 @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/ZwG25pNteL
— UFC (@ufc) November 27, 2025
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison defends her title against returning legend Amanda Nunes in a highly anticipated rematch. The card also features former champions Sean O’Malley, Rose Namajunas and Derrick Lewis in compelling matchups that showcase the depth of the UFC roster.
Style Clash for interim gold
The match between Pimblett and Gaethje offers a fascinating contrast in styles and career paths. Pimblett pits his slick wrestling and growing striking arsenal against Gaethje’s relentless pressure and legendary power. Both fighters are known for their fan-friendly approach, suggesting the interim title fight could deliver fireworks from the opening bell.
For Pimblett, a win would cement his transition from prospect to legitimate champion, while Gaethje will look to prove he is still among the elite in a division that continues to evolve with new talent. The winner will likely face Topuria in a unification bout later in 2026.
Complete the UFC 324 fight card
The full lineup for the first Paramount+ event showcases the UFC’s commitment to delivering premium content under their new broadcast arrangement:
- Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje – Interim lightweight title
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes – Bantamweight title
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
- Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
- Rose Namajunas vs. Alexa Grasso
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
New broadcasting landscape
The move to Paramount+ represents the most significant shift in UFC broadcasting since the promotion’s partnership with ESPN began. The elimination of traditional pay-per-view pricing could dramatically increase accessibility for fans while maintaining the production quality and event scale that have become synonymous with UFC programming.
UFC 324 sets the standard for what subscribers can expect from the partnership, with multiple title fights and a main event with significant implications for one of the promotion’s most competitive divisions.
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