UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is shaping up as the first major MMA event of the year and a landmark moment for the sport’s new broadcast era.
Headlined by an Interim Lightweight Championship clash between Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, plus a blockbuster Women’s Bantamweight title fight pitting reigning champion Kayla Harrison against a returning legend, Amanda Nunes, this card blends star power with high stakes.
Gaethje vs. Pimblett: A Divisional Crossroads
With undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria stepping away from competition early in 2026 to address personal matters – saying he “wants to focus on my children and resolve this situation” — the UFC opted for an interim title bout to keep the division moving.
Gaethje, one of the most consistently action-packed fighters in UFC history, views this as a final shot at gold. He’s openly relishing the challenge, admitting he thrives on the pressure of big fights as he eyes Topuria’s return later in the year. Pimblett, undefeated inside the UFC at 7-0, arrives with brash confidence that resonates with fans — even guaranteeing a finish, insisting “someone’s getting finished… One hundred percent, that’s not going to judges.”
This matchup represents not just a belt, but narrative contrast: Gaethje’s seasoned violence and championship experience versus Pimblett’s youth, flair and relentless self-belief. The winner almost certainly becomes the next challenger for Topuria, setting up a tantalizing unification down the line.
Harrison vs. Nunes: Legacy on the Line
In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison makes her first title defense since dethroning Julianna Peña in June 2025. A two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and unbeaten in the UFC, Harrison has methodically built a dominant reign at 135 lbs.
Standing across the Octagon is Amanda Nunes — arguably the greatest female fighter in MMA history. A former two-division champion, Nunes retired in June 2023 but chose UFC 324 for her comeback. Her return adds colossal intrigue: can the “Lioness” reclaim the title she once held, or will Harrison solidify her own GOAT-level legacy?
The narrative practically writes itself. Harrison has openly declared her ambitions to be remembered as the greatest, while Nunes seeks to cap her storied career with yet another historic chapter.
The Bigger Picture
UFC 324 isn’t just another card — it’s the first numbered event under a new broadcast partnership, the kickoff of 2026’s fight calendar, and a crossroads for two divisions. With contrasting styles, generational matchups, and legacy implications on both top-line fights, this Vegas fight night promises fireworks that reverberate long after the final horn.
UFC 324 – Main card
– Main event: Interim Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje v Paddy Pimblett
– Co-main: Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison v Amandu Nunes
– Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley v Song Yadong
– Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes Acosta v Derrick Lewis
– Featherweight: Arnold Allen v Jean Silva
UFC 324 – Broadcast details
Sunday 25 January
02:00: Prelims – LIVE on SuperSport Action, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1
04:00: Main card – LIVE on SuperSport Action, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1
