Paddy Pimblett reflects on a wild night at T-Mobile Arena. He didn’t hold back at the podium following his war with Gaethje. Watch Now
UFC 324: A New Era Begins as the Octagon Meets Paramount+
LAS VEGAS — The landscape of mixed martial arts shifted definitively on Saturday night, January 24, 2026, as T-Mobile Arena played host to UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett. More than just a championship double-header, the event marked the historic debut of the UFC’s landmark broadcasting partnership with Paramount+, effectively ending the pay-per-view era for numbered events and introducing a massive overhaul to the promotion’s fighter incentive program.
In a night defined by high-stakes violence and strategic masterclasses, the main event saw Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett battle for the interim lightweight title, while the co-main event featured a tactical war between former champion Sean O’Malley and the dangerous Song Yadong.
The Main Event: Gaethje’s Veteran Savvy vs. The Pimblett Surge
The interim lightweight title was on the line as Justin Gaethje, the quintessential “human highlight reel,” faced the meteoric rise of Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje entered the bout with a legacy built on blood and iron, looking to secure a path toward undisputed gold one last time. Pimblett, meanwhile, carried the momentum of a seven-fight UFC unbeaten streak and a massive global following.
The fight lived up to the billing, characterized by brutal leg kicks and high-level grappling exchanges. Pimblett opened strong with chopping right hands and front kicks, but Gaethje’s experience in deep waters proved pivotal. In the second round, Gaethje snapped Pimblett down with a front headlock, using his wrestling pedigree to wear on the younger fighter before dropping him with a crisp right hand.
While Pimblett showed incredible resilience, Gaethje’s ability to mix devastating striking with calculated pressure reminded the world why he remains a staple of the 155-pound elite. The victory positions Gaethje for a potential undisputed title unification later this year.
The Co-Main Event: O’Malley Returns to the Winner’s Circle
In the bantamweight division, Sean “Suga” O’Malley silenced critics with a gritty unanimous decision victory over Song Yadong. The fight was a tale of two halves: Song dominated the early rounds with explosive takedowns and heavy calf kicks that visibly compromised O’Malley’s movement.
However, O’Malley’s championship heart was on full display in the third frame. “Suga” found his range, bloodying Song’s nose with sharp jabs and landing a well-timed knee that swung the momentum. The judges rewarded O’Malley’s late-fight surge with a 29–28 scorecard across the board. Following the win, O’Malley immediately called for a rematch with Petr Yan, signaling his intent to reclaim the bantamweight throne.
UFC 324: Main Card Results Summary
| Bout | Result | Method | Round |
| Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett | Gaethje | TKO/Decision (Ongoing Coverage) | 5 |
| Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong | O’Malley | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) | 3 |
| Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis | Cortes-Acosta | TKO (Punches) | 2 |
| Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas | N. Silva | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) | 3 |
| Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva | J. Silva | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2) | 3 |
The “Dana White Bonus” Evolution
Perhaps the biggest headline of the weekend came from outside the cage. UFC CEO Dana White officially ushered in the Paramount+ era by doubling the standard performance bonuses.
For over a decade, the “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” bonuses remained stagnant at $50,000. At UFC 324, White confirmed these awards have now increased to $100,000. Additionally, the promotion introduced a “Finish Incentive”: any fighter who secures a knockout or submission but does not win a major performance bonus will receive an automatic $25,000 payout.
“We wanted to start this new era on Paramount+ with a bang,” White said during the post-fight presser. “These guys are putting it all on the line, and the new media deal allows us to reward them in a way that reflects where this sport is going.”
Highlights from the Undercard
- Umar Nurmagomedov continued his relentless march toward title contention, dominating former champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a 30-27 unanimous decision masterclass.
- Natalia Silva extended her unbeaten run by outpointing the legendary Rose Namajunas, showcasing high-level striking that likely puts her next in line for a flyweight title shot.
- The heavyweight division saw a passing of the torch as Waldo Cortes-Acosta stopped “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis in the second round, surviving early power shots to finish the veteran with a barrage of punches.
The Paramount+ Factor
UFC 324 was the first event under the new seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance. The shift to Paramount+ means that fans no longer have to pay the traditional $79.99 pay-per-view fee for numbered events, provided they have a standard subscription. This move is expected to drastically increase the UFC’s global reach and household penetration, placing MMA alongside major league sports in terms of accessibility.
As the post-fight press conference concludes in Las Vegas, the message is clear: the UFC is no longer just a combat sports promotion; it is a mainstream entertainment juggernaut.
