UFC 324 is set to be a night of title wars and rising stars when the UFC goes big at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 24. Topped by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, the card presents non-stop action across the board, with a key heavyweight fight taking the centre stage as a cannonball undercard.
Gaethje vs. Pimblett: Interim Gold on the Line
The key fight is the former interim champion Gaethje, at 37 years of age and a Fight of the Night staple, who has relentless pressure against the loud-mouthed Liverpool star Pimblett. As unquestioned lightweight king Ilia Topuria steps out of action due to personal reasons until at least mid-2026, it is this interim title fight that crowns a placeholder to the next big swing in the division.
As a fan favourite and enjoying a wave of violence, with nine UFC victories in his career, including knockouts over Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson, Gaethje comes in as the favourite. His lineage sparkles in confusion, yet 5 wins in the UFC, including smooth submissions over Tony Ferguson and Bobby Green, have set him on the path to winning a title.
Pimblett, the former dismissor of Arman Tsarukyan as a boring person, instead of a fireworks producer like Gaethje, takes this moment as his defining legacy. Pimblett is a believer in the hype and recently said that everyone knows Justin is a f*cking banger.
Eddie Alvarez, who delivered his only pre-UFC defeat to Gaethje, cautions Pimblett that he has to tighten his scramble defence to endure Gaethje during his unpredictable blitzes. The American is favoured at -200, yet the fact that Pimblett is a +170 underdog is a dream come true to have the British as an interim champion that follows Tom Aspinall.
Harrison vs. Nunes: Co-Main Event Legacy Battle
The co-main event only increases the level as the UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Kayla Harrison, has to defend her belt against the legend, Amanda Nunes, who has returned. Harrison, the PFL and two-time Olympic judo gold medal winner, took the throne in the 135-pound division with a forceful submission over Julianna Pena earlier this year. She now battles the GOAT in Nunes, who retired in 2023 in a two-division queen position, but considers a comeback to take the lead again.
This confrontation is a hybrid of Harrison’s grappling mastery and Nunes’s punching wizardry, which can carve its place in female MMA history.
Heavyweight Contenders Ignite the Undercard
Hiding within the ferociousness of the main card is a pure heavyweight battle that is about to explode: No. 4-ranked Curtis Blaydes vs. up-and-comer No. 8 Marcin Tybura. Blaydes, the wrestling powerhouse, who has a granite chin, wants redemption following a submission loss to Ciryl Gane in 2025. Victory catapults him to the status of title eliminator with champion Jon Jones or their interim holder, Tom Aspinall.
The Polish veteran, Tybura, is on a three-fight winning streak, including a knockout of Tai Tuivasa, who lays heavy hands and is tough. Their grappler-versus-striker dynamic may result in a reshuffling of the top-5, particularly with Jones having an escalating injury rumour. Analysts are forecasting that the takedown advantage will go to Blaydes, but Tybura has an upset potential with her power.
Other Firepower Fills in the Card
The prelims are hot with Alexa Grasso against Rose Namajunas in a flyweight grudge match, with former champ Grasso bringing her aggression against the technical savvy of Namajunas. Welterweight talents Ian Machado Garry and Michael Page will have an early fight, with Garry bringing accuracy and Page bringing karate to the fight.
UFC 324 is the first Paramount+ event that the promotion will be available in the U.S. without pay-per-view restrictions and is free to subscribers, which is a change to the ESPN model. This card is a combination of nostalgia, innovation and brutality as VIP packages are already selling out.
By the year 2026, Gaethje-Pimblett will provide Sin City-style violence. To fighters (heavyweight hopefuls) Blaydes and Tybura, it is a crossroad in their careers in a division that is in need of new blood.
