Justin Gaethje Battles Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324 Interim Title Jan. 24

ago 40 minutes
Justin Gaethje Battles Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324 Interim Title Jan. 24

UFC 324 is set for January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring high-stakes matchups that excite fans. The event will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This matchup gains importance due to undisputed champion Ilia Topuria’s absence.

Interim Lightweight Title Showdown

Justin Gaethje (26-5) faces off against Paddy Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight championship. Gaethje, a former interim champion and BMF titleholder, is regarded as the more experienced fighter in this bout. Pimblett, a rising star from Liverpool, England, also boasts an impressive finishing rate of 17 out of his 23 wins.

The winner of this fight is expected to challenge Topuria for the undisputed title later in 2026. Topuria revealed he is dealing with personal issues, prompting the creation of the interim title. UFC CEO Dana White emphasized the significance of this matchup, stating it is a must-see event.

Additional Championship Bout

The card also features a women’s bantamweight championship fight, where Kayla Harrison defends her title against Amanda Nunes. Harrison, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, will fight Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion who comes out of retirement for this matchup.

Supporting Fights and Event Details

  • Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: Interim Lightweight Championship.
  • Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes: Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
  • Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong: Bantamweight fight.
  • Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis: Heavyweight bout.
  • Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva: Featherweight match.
  • Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas: Women’s Flyweight fight.
  • Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev: Middleweight matchup.

Fans can expect more match announcements leading up to the event. UFC 324 will stream its main card at 9 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than usual. All fights, including prelims, will air on Paramount+ at no extra charge for subscribers. Tickets will be available for purchase starting December 12 at 10 a.m. PT.

Conclusion

UFC 324 promises to deliver thrilling action and pivotal moments in the sport. As Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett vie for the interim lightweight title, Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes will light up the octagon in a fight that has been years in the making.