UFC 324 -- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: Fight card, date, odds, location, rumors

An interim title fight tips the marquee in Las Vegas when the UFC begins its run on Paramount

By Shakiel Mahjouri

Jan 14, 2026 at 11:10 pm ET • 2 min read

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UFC's Paramount+ era begins on Jan. 24. UFC 324 takes over Las Vegas with a headline-grabbing main event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. It all goes down from the T-Mobile Arena as the first numbered event of 2026.

UFC CEO Dana White's announcement of the card during halftime of the Cowboys vs. Chiefs on Thanksgiving garnered widespread attention. Gaethje and Pimblett have been campaigning for a lightweight title shot. In the aftermath of 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria announcing he'd step away to deal with personal matters, Gaethje and Pimblett will fight for the interim title.

Gaethje, the all-action veteran, has been in this position before. He previously held the interim lightweight title when he defeated Tony Ferguson in 2020. However, he has yet to hold the full championship after suffering defeats against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. "The Highlight" has managed to stay relevant late in his career, including a second win over Rafael Fiziev in March 2025.

Pimblett, meanwhile, is a man on the rise as he looks to get his first piece of UFC gold. The Brit is undefeated in seven trips to the Octagon, including an impressive TKO of Michael Chandler last April. Gaethje represents by far the biggest test of Pimblett's young career.

The rest of the main card is loaded with interesting and important matchups within each division. The co-main event sees former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley look to get back on track -- and hold his position in the division -- when he takes on rising contender Song Yadong. Plus, powerful heavyweights are set to collide when veteran and fan favorite Derrick Lewis returns to take on fast rising contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Former women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas also looks to hold on to her position in the women's flyweight division when she takes on Natalia Silva. And the opening fight on the main card is sure to produce fireworks when Jean Silva takes on Arnold Allen at featherweight.

Subscribe to Paramount+ now to get access to the UFC fight library and get ready for UFC 324

UFC Fan Guide: A playlist of some of the most exciting fights in history to get ready for the Paramount+ era

Brent Brookhouse

Below is the complete fight card for UFC 324, along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features, and other content around this massive event.