The long wait is finally over. After what feels like an age, the UFC returns this weekend, with T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosting the first fight card of the world leader’s brand-new era in conjunction with Paramount+.
Despite losing what would have been a sensational women’s bantamweight title matchup between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes, the card remains stacked from top to bottom, featuring compelling fights and pivotal contests across multiple weight classes.
With 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) currently on sabbatical, the interim lightweight title will be contested in the main event. Veteran Justin Gaethje (24-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) looks to become the promotion’s first-ever two-time interim titleholder when he takes on the charismatic Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC).
Let’s take a look at the main card matchups awaiting us at UFC 324 this Saturday night.
MAIN CARD
Justin Gaethje (#4) vs. Paddy Pimblett (#5) - Interim Lightweight Championship
The UFC could hardly have selected a more mouthwatering matchup to usher in its new broadcasting deal this Saturday than the main event between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
At 37 years old, Gaethje continues to live up to his nickname every time he steps inside the Octagon. “The Highlight” guarantees action and has collected 14 Fight Night bonuses across his 14 UFC appearances to date. While many fans have accused Pimblett of being granted an easy path toward the upper echelon of the lightweight division, it appears certain that the Scouser will finally face a true test this weekend when he goes toe-to-toe with Gaethje in Sin City.
Gaethje has spoken openly about his willingness to walk away from the sport entirely should this fight not go his way, and it is that “burn the boats” mentality that makes the former BMF champion such a dangerous proposition for Pimblett.
“The Baddy” has won all seven of his fights since signing with the UFC in 2021, with five of those victories coming inside the distance. One notable development evident in his most recent performance against Michael Chandler last April was his improved composure and discipline on the feet. In contrast to the recklessness he displayed early in his UFC career, Pimblett showed far greater patience at UFC 314. Should this weekend’s bout extend into the championship rounds, that newfound maturity and poise could prove pivotal.
Sean O’Malley (#3) vs. Song Yadong (#5) - Bantamweight
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) goes in search of his first Octagon victory in nearly two years this weekend when he takes on the ever-game Song Yadong (22-8-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC).
Back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili have stalled O’Malley’s momentum, but with “The Machine” recently usurped by Petr Yan at the top of the division, “Sugar” could re-enter the title conversation with a win on Saturday night, particularly given that he holds a victory over the new champion.
O’Malley has long been a fighter the UFC has been willing to rally behind, and it is easy to understand why. Holding the divisional record for the most Fight Night bonuses (nine) and boasting the highest significant strike accuracy (61.2 percent) in bantamweight history, the former champion remains one of the most electrifying strikers on the UFC roster. He is also likely to find a willing dance partner in Song during Saturday’s co-main event.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (#5) vs. Derrick Lewis (#8) - Heavyweight
Speaking of divisional records, Derrick Lewis (29-12 MMA, 20-10 UFC) will look to add to his heavyweight-best 16 stoppage victories when he takes on Waldo Cortes-Acosta (16-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) on Saturday’s main card.
With 20 wins in the division to his name, “The Black Beast” is closing in on Andrei Arlovski’s heavyweight record of 23. At 40 years old, he appears to be embracing his role as the division’s gatekeeper. Three knockout finishes in his last four outings have seen Lewis rebound emphatically from the three-fight skid he endured in 2022–23, and he will be aiming to halt Cortes-Acosta’s momentum this weekend.
“Salsa Boy” makes the walk to the Octagon for a staggering sixth time in just ten months on Saturday and capped off 2025 in style with back-to-back first-round knockout victories over Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev in November.
Natalia Silva (#2) vs. Rose Namajunas (#6) - Women’s Flyweight
Rising star Natalia Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) faces former two-time UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (14-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) this weekend, with a likely shot at Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight title awaiting the winner.
Silva’s seven-fight winning streak is the longest active run in the division, and with victories over former champions Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso already on her résumé, she is unlikely to be overawed by the challenge of facing Namajunas this Saturday.
Arnold Allen (#6) vs. Jean Silva (#10) Featherweight
The forgotten man of the UFC featherweight division returns in Saturday’s main card opener. UK standout Arnold Allen (20-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) won the first 10 fights of his UFC career between 2015 and 2022 before decision losses to Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev stalled his momentum.
After enduring a difficult spell plagued by injuries, “Almighty” returns this weekend to face one of the division’s most exciting recent additions in Jean Silva (16-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC). “Lord” will be looking to rebound from his loss to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC in October and add to the 15 stoppage victories he has already accumulated during his electrifying career.
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
- Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas (Light Heavyweight)
- Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
- Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
- Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)
- Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman (Bantamweight)
- Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller (Welterweight)
