UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is shaping up as the first major MMA event of the year and a defining moment for the promotion’s new broadcast era. Headlined by an Interim Lightweight Championship showdown between Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, the card is further elevated by a blockbuster Women’s Bantamweight title fight featuring champion Kayla Harrison against returning legend Amanda Nunes.
The event blends elite star power, divisional consequences and legacy-defining stakes, positioning UFC 324 as one of the most compelling cards in recent memory.
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 to introduce an interim title to keep the division active.
For Gaethje, the bout represents what could be a final run at UFC gold. Known for delivering some of the most violent and entertaining fights in promotion history, the former interim champion has embraced the pressure, viewing the matchup as a gateway to a potential unification bout when Topuria returns later in the year.
Across the Octagon stands Pimblett, one of the UFC’s most polarizing and marketable stars. Undefeated at 7–0 inside the promotion, the Liverpool native brings unshakable confidence and fan-fueled momentum. He has promised a decisive ending, declaring, “Someone’s getting finished… one hundred percent, that’s not going to judges.”
Beyond the belt, the fight is a clash of narratives: Gaethje’s battle-tested brutality and championship experience versus Pimblett’s youth, flair and unfiltered self-belief. The winner is widely expected to become Topuria’s next opponent, setting up a high-profile title unification bout.
The co-main event carries historic implications as Kayla Harrison makes her first title defense since capturing the bantamweight crown from Julianna Peña in June 2025. A two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, Harrison has remained unbeaten in the UFC, establishing herself as a dominant force at 135 pounds.
Her challenger, however, is a name etched into MMA history. Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time, returns from retirement for the first time since June 2023. A former two-division champion, the “Lioness” chose UFC 324 for her comeback, instantly raising the stakes of the event.
The matchup presents a generational and stylistic contrast. Harrison is seeking to cement her own claim to all-time greatness, while Nunes aims to reclaim the title she once ruled and add a final, defining chapter to her storied career.
With two title fights, contrasting eras colliding and divisional futures hanging in the balance, UFC 324 is more than just another pay-per-view. It marks a statement night for the sport, ushering in a new chapter while honoring the legacies that built it.
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
04:00: Main card – LIVE on SuperSport Action, SuperSport Action Africa