UFC and Paramount+ are excitedly launching a new era with a groundbreaking card slated for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main event features Justin Gaethje facing off against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. Additionally, women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison will defend her title against Amanda Nunes, who is making her return to the octagon after nearly two years.
During halftime of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys game on Thanksgiving, UFC CEO Dana White announced this exciting card. The victor of the Gaethje vs. Pimblett match will likely have a chance to unify the title against reigning champion Ilia Topuria later this year.
Both fighters have seen substantial success within the promotion, with Gaethje boasting an impressive 14 post-fight bonuses across as many UFC bouts, while Pimblett remains unbeaten at 7-0 with five performance bonuses. The co-main event showcases Nunes returning to add another name to her illustrious list of opponents that includes Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko.
“January 24 in Las Vegas marks the start of this incredible partnership with Paramount,” White emphasized in a press release. “This fight card is extraordinary, featuring six champions, including the long-awaited comeback of the greatest female fighter of all time.”
The card will also include notable bouts: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis, and Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva.
UFC 324 Fight Card:
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, interim lightweight title
- Kayla Harrison (c) vs. Amanda Nunes, women’s bantamweight title
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, bantamweights
- Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis, heavyweights
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva, featherweights
- Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas, featuring prelims
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
On the horizon, White also announced that the next headliner for UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, will feature Alex Volkanovski defending his featherweight title against Diego Lopes.
