Bold truth: the UFC 324 card is set to launch the UFC on Paramount era with a stacked lineup that fans won’t want to miss. Here’s a refreshed take on the same information, expanded for clarity and beginner-friendly context, while preserving every key detail from the original.
The UFC has officially unveiled the preliminary slate for the first 2026 event, scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The marquee matchup tops the bill as an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, signaling a high-stakes clash that could redefine the division’s trajectory. In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison defends her women’s bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes, the celebrated former two-division champion making a notable return to action.
Two bouts that MMA Fighting initially reported have now been confirmed by the UFC: a light heavyweight contest featuring Modestas Bukauskas against Nikita Krylov, and a flyweight duel pitting former title challenger Alex Perez against Charles Johnson. These inclusions round out a card that blends title implications with intriguing stylistic matchups.
Additionally, the UFC announced two more fights that had been brewing in the rumor mill. Michael Johnson will take on Alexander Hernandez in a lightweight showdown, and the bantamweight division will see Ricky Turcios face Cameron Smotherman. These additions add depth to a card already brimming with competitive fire.
Starting with UFC 324, all numbered events will feature a main card start time of 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a small but meaningful shift designed to standardize viewing across platforms and markets. Here is the updated lineup for UFC 324:
Main Card, Paramount+, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
- 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
What this means for fans: Gaethje vs. Pimblett promises a clash of contrasting styles—raw power and relentless pressure against flashy technique and speed. Harrison’s title defense against Nunes is one of the most talked-about matchups of the year, with plenty of viewpoints on how the returning legend will perform after time away. The diverse slate on the rest of the card offers opportunities to witness technical grappling, explosive striking, and underdog narratives in real time.
Thought-provoking question for the community: Do you think the interim title fight between Gaethje and Pimblett will live up to the hype, or might it steer the division in an unexpected direction? Share your take in the comments, and feel free to debate how Nunes’ return could reshape the bantamweight landscape.
