The UFC’s debut on Paramount+ ended in extraordinary fashion – in a brutal, action-packed fight.
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46 and 49-46) for the interim lightweight title in a five-round fight shown by Paramount+, the UFC’s new live-streaming partner.
Gaethje, known as “The Highlight,’’ lived up to his nickname during the action-packed bout. He bloodied Pimblett, took punishment and dished out even more.
Both still were swinging as the wild affair ended.
What Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett said after fight
Gaethje said the strategy was to put his head in Pimblett’s chest and push him backward. But Gaethje deviated from the plan in the first round as he looked for a knockout.
“Yeah, my coach was definitely upset with me after the first round,’’ he said. “I just love this (stuff) so much. It’s really hard to control myself sometimes. … And so my coach had to really pull me back.’’
Still, Gaethje inflicted damage early.
“I’m not going to lie,’’ Pimblett said. “He hit me with a body shot in the first round. He hit me in the solar plexus and it got me…
“I’ll be back better. It’s as simple as that. You haven’t seen the last of me.’’
Gaethje seemed awestruck that Pimblett finished the fight on his feet despite taking so much punishment.
“My God, what a … gangster,’’ Gaethje said.
Pimblett lauded Gaethje.
“I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than The Highlight,’’ Pimblett said, referring to Gaethje by his nickname. “… It shows why he’s a legend right there.’’
Gaethje, 37, won for the fourth time in five fights and his record improved to 27-5
Pimblett, the 31-year-old from Great Britain, lost for the first time in 10 fights and his record fell to 23-4.
The main event capped a 12-fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 24.
ESPN had broadcast UFC fights for seven years before the UFC signed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+, a subscriber channel. The pay-per-view rates routinely charged by ESPN for now are a thing of the past.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and analysis from UFC 324:
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: Round-by-round analysis
Here’s how their interim lightweight title fight played out:
Round 1
Brits in the crowd wearing blonde wigs, a nod to their man, Paddy Pimblett. (Pimblett’s got the hair in cornrows as he heads into the octagon.) There’s less enthusiasm for Gaethje, who comes out draped in an American flag. Now, time to fight.
Gaethje opens with a leg kick, then throws a right that falls short. But he connects with a body kick. Pimblett lands a left and Gaethje answers with a right. Pimblett active with his feet and fists, but Gaethje scores and comes in for … the kill? He’s on top of Pimblett and pounds away before Pimblett is allowed up. Gaethje looks dangerous. Pimblett scores with a leg kick and knee and the punches are flying. Gaethje wraps up Pimblett on the fence before they break free. Gaethje lands a combination. Pimblett active with the kicks. Pimblett asks for a moment and appears to have been poked in the eye with Gaethje’s right hand. The ring doctor enters the octagon and Pimblett indicates he’s ready to go. Gaethje is warned. Pimblett scoring at will with kicks but now it’s turning into a brawl. Gaethje 10, Pimblett 9
Round 2
Gaethje lands a left. Gaethje takes yet another leg kick but now he’s on top of Pimblett and on the ground. They’re back up and Pimblett knees again and Gaethje answers with a big punch. Gaethje blocks a kick and Pimblett slips to the ground. They trade shots and Gaethje scores more. Huge swings. They’re wrapped up and Pimblett’s kneeing again. Pimblett scores with knees and Gaethje scores with body shots. Gaethje pulls down Pimblett again and connects with punches. Down goes Pimblett! Cut down by a left. Gaethje is on top of Pimblett and blasting. Pimblett’s bleeding and probably exhausted. Gaethje is down again and pummeling Pimblett. His right eye is bleeding baldly. Looks like a mess. A replay shows Pimblett may have been poked in the eye again. Gaethje 20, Pimblett 18
Round 3
Pimblett down again but back on his feet. His vision is likely impaired but he’s up to pro-Gaethje chants of “USA, USA.’’ Fighters look tactical now. Fighters trade shots. Pimblett scores with his jab. Gaethje getting battered with kicks. Gaethje charging forward again. But Pimblett is connecting with the jab even as the blood streaks down his face. Pimblett scores with more kicks, too. Pimblett surprisingly effective after getting crushed in the second round. Gaethje’s right hand might be compromised. And if it is, he’s in real trouble. Gaethje takes a knee to the groin and gets time to recover. The fight resumes. Pimblett getting more and more aggressive. Gaethje 29, Pimblett 28
Round 4
They’ve got Pimblett’s cut stopped. No longer looks ghoulish. He comes out firing lefts. Gaethje definitely appears to have lost his momentum. But he scores with two rights, fights off a takedown and is on top of Pimblett on the canvas. They’re up and separated. Gaethje knocks Pimblett down with a left, but the Brit gets back on his feet quickly. Gaethje lands a big right and has Pimblett against the fence and lands a flurry of shots! Gaethje battering Pimblett, but Pimblett hanging on. Brutal. Pimblett is bleeding again and looks like the Joker. Gaethje stalks. Gaethje scoring with solid shots. Gaethje missing the mark with big shot and Pimblett lands a flurry before Gaethje wraps him up and sneaks in a few punches. Gaethje 39, Pimblett 37
Round 5
The crowd rises in a standing ovation as the final round begins. Pimblett lands a knee to the face and Gaethje lands a big right. Gaethje lands two more hard punches. What a fight. Pimblett turns aggressive, attempts a takedown but Gaethje fighting it off. Pimblett’s got him on the fence but Gaethje’s still fighting him off. He breaks free and fires the right hand. Pimblett misses the spinning elbow and eats three punches. Pimblett turns it on and pummels Gaethje. Gaethje hanging on. What a fight, a war. It’s over. And the two men embrace. Gaethje 48, Pimblett 47
Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong by unanimous decision
At times O’Malley looked tentative. But certainly not in the third and final round.
He finished with gusto, enough to defeat Song by unanimous decision in their bantamweight fight.
All three judges scored it 29-28 in O’Malley’s favor.
Song punished O’Malley with kicks. But O’Malley delivered the more visible punishment.
With Song bleeding from the nose and mouth in the third round, it looked even more gruesome after O’Malley kneed Song in the face. It was the lasting image of an impressive performance.
O’Malley, the 31-year-old former bantamweight champion, improved to 19-3.
Song, a 28-year-old from China, fell to 22-9-1.
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong: Round-by-round analysis
Here’s how their bantamweight bout played out:
Round 1
Sean O’Malley, at 5-foot-11, has a three-inch height advantage over Song. But Song is stockier. Will the extra muscle matter? More chants of “USA, USA!’’ Of course, Song is from China and O’Malley from Montana. The fighters are trading low leg kicks. None of them are fierce. O’Malley scores with a left. Chants: “Sean O’Malley!’’ Song charges in but O’Malley evades. O’Malley scores with a jab and gets moving. Can’t be a sitting duck for Song. O’Malley dancing, out of danger. For now. More exchange of kicks. Song on the chase. Song scores a takedown and there’s 30 seconds left in the round. Song unable to land anything of consequences. O’Malley 10, Song 9
Round 2
Song knocks O’Malley off balance with a leg kick. Song lands a right and he’s throwing punches with more force. Song connects with two left hooks. Song has O’Malley from behind. Song is stomping on O’Malley’s feet and O’Malley is throwing elbows. Song scores another takedown but O’Malley is up again. He takes a left hand and may be suffering from all of the kicks. O’Malley 19, Song 19
Round 3
O’Malley comes out tentative? Song throws some big punches that miss and O’Malley seems to know how dangerous they are. O’Malley takes another leg kick but he responds with two solid lefts. He lands another left and now O’Malley seems to be in a groove and evades some punches. Song bleeding from the mouth and nose and O’Malley’s punches clearly hit the mark. Two more lefts. Song attempts a takedown and fails. O’Malley lands a hard right. Song charging forward but not scoring with any authority. Song attempts another takedown and takes a knee from O’Malley. The blood is pouring from Song, and confidence oozing from O’Malley. O’Malley 29, Song 28
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis by TKO
Lewis found himself on his back in the second round after what appeared to be a harmless slip. And he showed no urgency to get up.
What a bad idea.
Cortes-Acosta lowered himself onto the canvas and battered Lewis with punches until the referee halted the heavyweight fight.
Cortes-Acosta, the 34-year-old from the Dominican Republic, improved to 17-2. Lewis, the 40-year-old from Texas, fell to 29-13.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis: Round-by-round analysis
Here’s how their heavyweight bout played out:
Round 1
Derrick Lewis unleashes a couple of leg kicks. No luck, even as the crowed chants “USA, USA!’’ Context: Waldo Cortes-Acosta is from the Dominican Republic. And he backpedals fast when Lewis, the American star, fires punches that do not land. Cortes-Acosta inching toward Lewis. Lewis lands a left. Barely. Slow start. Cortes-Acosta looks wary of Lewis’ power, but Lewis has yet to land anything big. Cortes-Acosta lands a serviceable left and a lower leg kick. Lewis avoid an overhand right and scores with one of his own. Lewis kicks, Cortes-Acosta grabs his leg and Lewis is allowed on his feet. Lewis lands a nice left kick but can’t find the range with his punches. Cortes-Acosta 10, Lewis 9
Round 2
Both fighters come out a little tentative and suddenly Lewis charges forward. Again, up go the chants: “USA, USA!’’ Cortes-Acosta scores. Maybe these guys can try sumo wrestling. But Cortes-Acosta lands a solid jab and fires a couple more. Lewis at the jab buffet, eating them by the handful. Lewis lands a left but Cortes-Acosta signals he’s OK. Which means he felt it. Lewis slips and falls back on his back. Now Cortes-Acosta lowers himself on the mat and pounds away. And it’s over! The ref stops the fight! It’s Cortes-Acosta by TKO.
Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision
Silva got showered before she even left the octagon. Showered in boos.
The judges awarded her a unanimous decision victory over Namajunas, but the fans responded to the decision with boos.
“I’m sorry, guys, because this was not my best moment,’’ Silva said through a translator.
But it was the judges who angered the crowd. All three scored the women’s flyweight fight 29-28 in favor of Silva.
Silva, a 28-year-old Brazilian, won for the 14th time in a row dating back to 2018 and improved to 20-5-1. Namajunas, a 33-year-old from Colorado, fell to 15-8.
Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas: Round-by-round analysis
Here’s how their women’s flyweight fight played out:
Round 1
Lots of fast twitching as Natalia Silva and Rose Namajunas feint and jockey at the center of the octagon. Namajunas lands a left and a low leg kick but not much action yet. Namajunas lands a right and … what’s Silva waiting for? Silva shaking her hips like she’s doing the salsa. I don’t think you get points for that, do you? Namajunas lands another right and then a low leg kick. Silva strikes back with a low leg kick, but so far has been underwhelming. Namajunas scores again with a punch. Silva scores with a right but an uneventful round. Namajunas 10, Silva 9
Round 2
Namajunas capitalizes on her quick start with two shots early. Although she’s not landing many of her leg kicks, they do seem to be creating a comfortable distance between her and Silva. Still more dancing than punching or kicking. Silva takes down Namajunas, but she pops up on her feet and the two fighters clinch along the fence. Faint boos. Strange they’re not louder. Namajunas scores the takedown. Can she set up for the ground and pound? Silva has her wrapped up with her legs as Namajunas throws punches that aren’t landing with great force. But she was in control. Namajunas 20, Silva 18
Round 3
Silva comes out more aggressive and lands some blows. But Namajunas not backing up. In fact, she lands a couple of lefts but not without suffering some damage. Now Namajunas starting to backpedal more. But Silva not seizing the moment. Namajunas appears to be bleeding from the bridge of her nose and she takes a kick to the head. Silva staying active but doesn’t look especially dangerous. The fighters are on the ground now and Silva is delivering some punches before she takes down Namajunas again. Has 30 seconds to end it, but Namajunas is back on her feet and pursuing Silva. It’s Silva’s round, but hard to imagine it’s her fight. Namajunas 29, Silva 28
Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen by unanimous decision
Silva was crying as the fight was ending and barked when it was over.
The behavior followed his victory over Allen by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). The three-round featherweight bout featured something rare, if never seen before.
In the third round, Silva got Allen onto the canvas and jumped off of his back as if he were a trampoline.
Silva, a 29-year-old Brazilian, improved to 17-3. Allen, a 32-year-old from England, fell to 20-4.
Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen: Round-by-round analysis
Here’s how their featherweight fight played out:
Round 1
Arnold Allen opens with an underwhelming low leg kick. Jean Silva lands a body shot. But no real fireworks yet as the fighters assess each other. Another leg kick from Allen. Crowd already sounds restless. Silva noticeably thicker. Allen lands a left and another as he bounces on the balls of his feet. Silva unleashes a high kick that’s blocked. Allen still moving and Silva unable to catch up. Allen lands a low legal kick. Allen scores with a kick and follows up with a solid left. Silva struggling with Allen’s style. Silva lands a left and Allen immediately responds with a left and Silva pours it on as the round ends with a kick and a left! Allen 10, Silva 9
Round 2
Silva emerges with a knot on his left temple. He connects with a combination and then eats a left and right from Allen. Allen connects with a kick and jab but Silva takes him down and Silva delivers a head kick. Allen fires back and it’s getting delightfully messy. Allen drills Silva with a left and takes an uppercut. Silva appears to be bleeding under his left eye – the result of Allen’s fists. It’s a back-and-forth bout, two game fighters. Allen lands a knee and takes a spinning elbow and it’s getting wild. Now Allen’s bleeding from the nose while Silva delivers leg knicks. Allen unleashes two big leg kicks. Silva lands another spinning elbow and sticks out his tongue. Allen 19, Silva 19
Round 3
Silva comes out firing! Fists and legs flying. Then the action slows. At least temporarily. Silva strikes hard with the right. He drills Allen again and those punches look fierce. Allen waved him and now has him pinned against a fence. Allen trying to take Silva down but Silva breaks free. Silva lands a right elbow and takes down Allen after Allen appeared to be complaining about something. Silva lands a kick and an elbow and the momentum builds for Silva. Silva points to the center of the canvas, wants to brawl. Allen declines. Silva lands two head kicks, knocks Allen to the floor and then jumps off Allen’s back! What? Yep, jumped off his back! Silva 29, Allen 28
UFC 324: Time, PPV, streaming for Gaethje vs Pimblett
The highly anticipated fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will take place on Saturday, Jan. 24 and can be streamed on Paramount+, marking the sport’s debut on the service.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
Early Prelims start time: 5 p.m. ET
Early Prelims card stream: Paramount+
Prelims card start time: 7 p.m. ET
Prelims card stream: Paramount+
Main card start time: 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+
Catch UFC action now all fights on Paramount+
Dominick Cruz entering UFC Hall of Fame
Dominick Cruz, considered one of the greatest bantamweight fighters in UFC history, was announced as a member of the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame class.
It was a no-brainer.
Cruz, 40, was a two-time bantamweight champion, winning the title in 2010 and winning it again in 2016. He finished his career 24-4.
Josh Hokit shows worst of UFC with Brittney Griner comments
Heavyweight Josh Hokit, the “winner’’ of the second fight of UFC’s debut on Paramount+, reflected the worst of the sport.
After stopping Denzel Freeman by TKO, Hokit recited a post-victory poem that ended with, “And P.S., Brittney Griner is a man.’’
Taking cheap shots at Griner, the legendary women’s basketball player and 10-time WNBA All-Star, is bad enough. But members of the broadcast team endorsed Hokit’s outrageous remarks as entertaining. Joe Rogan, who had a chance to admonish Hokit, instead said, “Brittney Griner catching strays.’’
Paramount+ offered no comment on the matter.
Does Bruce Buffer get a do-over?
Bruce Buffer, UFC’s ring announcer, left an unfortunate mark on UFC’s debut on Paramount+. Before the first prelim fight, Buffer botched the introduction of fighters Ty Miller and Adam Fugitt by reading their bios in the wrong order.
UFC 324 fight results: Prelims
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision, bantamweight
Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev by unanimous decision, middleweight
Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas by KO (3rd round), light heavyweight
Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson by TKO (1st round), flyweight
UFC 324 fight results: Early prelims
Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt by TKO (1st round), welterweight
Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman by TKO (1st round), heavyweight
UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett predictions
Action Network: Pimblett
The 31-year-old Pimblett has looked better and better in every fight, and the market is banking on him continuing to improve against 37-year-old Justin Gaethje. The former interim champion Gaethje is getting another crack at the interim title and has only ever lost to champion-level opponents, with all five of his losses coming against men who’ve at least won an interim title. That makes this a fairly big step up for Pimblett, whose best win to date was likely his third-round finish of Michael Chandler last year. Of course, that’s the same Michael Chandler who took Gaethje to a decision a few years ago, albeit an early version.
Dan Hooker: Gaethje
In an interview on Submission Radio, Hooker, the UFC lightweight fighter, said of Gaethje, ‘I think he’s gonna put Paddy to the test. …Gaethje’s takedown defense is pretty sharp, I don’t see (Pimblett taking Gaethje down). We haven’t seen Paddy get in there that often and mix it up with the best guys in their prime.”
Dustin Poirier: Gaethje
In an interview on the Ariel Helwani Show, Poirier, the former interim UFC lightweight champion, said ‘It’s a fun fight. I’m leaning towards Justin, but we’ll see. I just think he’s been in those 25-minute fights. He’s been in dogfights before. I think Paddy’s going to have a tough time stopping him on the feet. And I don’t think Paddy’s going to be able to get him down, so he’s going to have to fight with him unless Paddy can stay super disciplined for 25 minutes, stay at distance, pick his shots. …Justin’s just a bigger puncher, and he’ll put himself in harm’s way to land one of those shots. It’s tough to stay away from him for 25 minutes. I think Justin stops him.’
UFC 324 odds: Gaethje vs Pimblett fight
Odds via BetMGM as of Wednesday.
Justin Gaethje (+190) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-235), For interim lightweight title
Where is UFC 324: Gaethje and Pimblett?
UFC 324: Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
UFC 324 live stream
The Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett marks a historic turn for the UFC. All fights, from eraly prelims to the main card, will be available on Paramount+.
UFC 324 price
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC’s debut on Paramount+. Say goodbye to the pay-per-view fees, but don’t forget the Paramount+ subscription fee of $8.99 that gets you access to UFC fights — starting with UFC 324 Saturday, Jan. 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Are Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison fighting at UFC 324?
A highly anticipated bout between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunez was canceled after Harrison suffered a neck injury that required surgery. That elevated a bantamweight matchup between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong.
Ring walk time for Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett main event
The Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fight card consists of 13 fights and will begin at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, with early prelim fights. The main event for the Gaethje vs Pimblett fight is expected to be around 11:30 p.m. ET. However, the duration of the undercard will impact the actual start.
UFC moves to Paramount+ ending PPV era
UFC moves on from its PPV model with ESPN and ESPN+. With its seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, the promise is upwards of 40 UFC events a year. It all begins in 2026 with UFC 324 on Jan. 24, which will broadcast on Paramount+.
UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett fight card
Fight card according to ESPN and odds according to BetMGM as of Wednesday.
Main Card:
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, For interim lightweight title
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong; Bantamweight
Waldo Cortez-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis; Heavyweight
Natalie Silvia vs. Rose Namajunas Women’s flyweight
Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva; Featherweight
Prelims:
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo; Bantamweight (Odds unavailable)
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev; Middleweight
Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas; Light heavyweight
Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson; flyweight
Early Prelims:
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman; Heavyweight
Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotheron; Bantamweight (canceled)
Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller; Welterweight