UFC’s Paramount+ Era Kicks Off With Gaethje vs. Pimblett Headlining UFC 324

The UFC is stepping into 2026 with a bold new play and fans are already buzzing. UFC 324, set for Saturday, January 24, at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, will mark the promotion’s first event fully streamed on Paramount+ and it’s going out with a bang. Headlining the card is a high-stakes interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett — a matchup that promises all the flair and jaw-dropping knockouts fans have come to expect from the Octagon.

This isn’t just another fight night. The UFC’s switch from pay-per-view to Paramount+ represents one of the biggest shifts in the sport’s history. With the $7.7 billion deal in place, Paramount+ will be the exclusive home for numbered events, Fight Nights and other marquee bouts, giving fans full access without having to dig into their wallets for extra fees. For casual viewers and longtime followers alike, this move simplifies the fight-watching experience, bringing every takedown, submission and post-fight meltdown to a single streaming platform.

Gaethje enters this showdown with a reputation for relentless striking and highlight-reel finishes, while Pimblett, the brash Liverpudlian, has surged through the lightweight ranks with a combination of flashy style and impressive results. With current champion Ilia Topuria sitting out the first part of the year, this interim title fight effectively determines who will challenge for the undisputed belt, turning the Las Vegas card into a must-watch spectacle. The stakes are high and the potential for fireworks inside the cage has fans already marking their calendars.

The rest of the card is equally compelling. Women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison faces returning legend Amanda Nunes, while high-flying matchups like Sean O’Malley versus Song Yadong and a heavyweight slugfest between Derrick Lewis and Waldo Cortes Acosta promise plenty of drama. The prelims kick off in the late afternoon, leading into the main card in prime time, all available through Paramount+ streaming.

UFC 324 is more than just a fight night. It’s a statement that the UFC is fully embracing the streaming era while delivering the explosive action fans crave. Between Gaethje’s raw power, Pimblett’s panache, and the broader card’s knockout potential, this event promises to launch 2026 with the kind of energy only the UFC can generate. For any UFC fan still on the fence about streaming, missing this fight would be like skipping the season finale of your favorite show and nobody wants that kind of FOMO.