Get ready for a fight night like no other—UFC 324 is here to shake things up! But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett the matchup we’ve all been waiting for, or is it just hype? The UFC 324 fight card, set to kick off the UFC on Paramount era, has finally been unveiled, and it’s packed with matchups that are sure to spark debate. Mark your calendars for January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the octagon will host an interim lightweight title bout between Gaethje and Pimblett—a clash of styles that has fans divided. And this is the part most people miss: While all eyes are on the main event, the co-main bout could steal the show. Kayla Harrison, the reigning women’s bantamweight champion, will defend her title against the legendary Amanda Nunes, making her highly anticipated return after dominating two divisions. Will Nunes reclaim her throne, or will Harrison solidify her legacy?
The undercard is no less thrilling. The UFC confirmed two bouts initially reported by MMA Fighting: a light heavyweight showdown between Modestas Bukauskas and Nikita Krylov, and a flyweight battle featuring former title contender Alex Perez against Charles Johnson. Here’s the twist: Some fans argue that Bukauskas vs. Krylov deserves a higher spot on the card—do you agree?
Newly announced fights include a lightweight clash between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez, and a bantamweight matchup pitting Ricky Turcios against Cameron Smotherman. Starting with UFC 324, all numbered events will have a new main card start time of 9 p.m. ET, so adjust your schedules accordingly.
Full Lineup:
Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET):
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Title)
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes (Women’s Bantamweight Title)
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
- Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen
Preliminary Card (Paramount+):
- Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
- Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson
- Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas
- Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman
- Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman
Controversy Alert: With such a stacked card, which fight do you think will be the real show-stealer? And is the UFC giving enough credit to the undercard fighters, or are they overshadowed by the big names? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this lineup is bound to spark some heated debates!
