The Paramount era begins for the UFC, kicking off in January with seven announced bouts. UFC 324 will feature two title fights, one of which will be for the interim lightweight title as the headliner.
This is because UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria has stated he will not fight until Spring due to personal reasons.
Already starting 2026 with a very anticipated fight card, here are all the battles that Dana White announced live on social media.
Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett
Starting with the interim title showdown between two fighters who have pleaded for a championship bout next.
Justin Gaethje redeemed himself in his last fight, defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in the rematch at UFC 313.
This cancelled out his BMF title knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 as he hunts for one last shot at the undisputed belt.
Pimblett last fought at UFC 314, where he displayed dominance against Michael Chandler to win by third-round TKO.
‘The Baddy’ is undefeated in the UFC and hopes to continue his rich run with a title on his shoulder in Las Vegas.
While it may not have been the particular battle on everyone’s bingo cards, it’s certainly a fight you cannot miss, as the winner will challenge Topuria next.
Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes
It may just be the greatest women’s matchup of the decade as the current dominant champion takes on the greatest of all time.
Harrison became the Queen of the Bantamweights after dethroning Juliana Pena, submitting her in the second round at UFC 316.
Ever since the 35-year-old entered the UFC, she has been nothing but unstoppable, especially after convincing victories over Ketlen Vieira and former champion Holly Holm.
Amanda Nunes retired from the UFC in May 2023 after defending her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289.
‘The Lioness’ holds the record for most title wins in UFC Women’s history and has the chance to extend it further in her illustrious return.
Never has a five-round fight looked more unpredictable between two female mixed martial artists who have dominated in the sport.
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong
There is a lot at stake in this battle, with one fighter having a slight downfall, while the other closes in on a title shot.
O’Malley failed to claim revenge against Merab Dvalishvili, losing his title rematch by fourth-round submission at UFC 316.
Before losing the bantamweight championship, O’Malley had only lost once in his MMA career, which he avenged after beating Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC 299.
Yadong earned redemption in his last battle, defeating former two-division champion Henry Cejudo by technical unanimous decision at UFC Seattle.
The Chinese fighter’s last two defeats have both come against this year’s title challengers as he looks to beat a former champion.
Both men are incredibly talented when it comes to striking, so expect a three-round war in the T-Mobile Arena.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis
When there is a bout between two heavyweight knockout artists, you know you’re in for a show.
Cortes-Acosta fought five times in 2025, earning four wins, including a recent first-round knockout against Shamil Gaziev at UFC Qatar on short notice.
Despite losing to Sergei Pavlovich, ‘Salsaboy’ has also picked up intriguing triumphs over Ryan Spann, Serghei Spivac and Ante Delija.
Lewis last competed at UFC Nashville, where he gave Tallison Teixeira his first MMA loss, winning by first-round TKO.
‘The Black Beast’ is highly known as the man with the most knockouts in UFC history and will be hungry to extend that record.
A win between either dangerous giant could potentially put them in a strong position for title contention.
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva
Another unmissable matchup which sees two nations’ favourites collide in the featherweight division.
Allen has not fought since July 2024, when he went the distance with Giga Chikadze, winning by unanimous decision at UFC 304.
‘Almighty’ has 13 fights in the organisation and has only lost twice, with those two tough defeats coming against Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev.
Silva was conquered for the first time in the UFC after losing to Diego Lopes by second-round TKO at Noche UFC.
The Brazilian has stopped every opponent he has faced, which has made him a highly hyped prospect at 145lbs.
This three-round matchup is heavily eye-catching and could put either fighter a win away from a title shot.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo
Another fight which could be seen as a title eliminator, with both men having a very well-rounded skillset.
Nurmagomedov redeemed his first MMA loss with a decision win over Mario Bautista at UFC 321, aiming to get vengeance on Dvalishvili.
The Dagestan mixed martial artist showcased dominance before his title fight and will be looking to make a statement at UFC 324.
Figueiredo redeemed himself in his last bout after defeating Montel Jackson by split decision at UFC Rio.
The former two-time flyweight champion’s dream of becoming a two-division champion is still alive, as a victory in January would give him the shot against the King of the Bantamweights.
Both fighters have consistently tested their opponents with grappling while surprising them with their striking, making this a high-level battle.
Alexa Grasso vs Rose Namajunas
Finally, the last announcement from his already stacked event has an interesting female matchup at 125lbs.
Grasso made it back-to-back losses with an unanimous decision defeat to Natalia Silva at UFC 315.
The former flyweight champion remains the only one to have defeated Valentina Shevchenko, and she could be back on the rise, aiming for a quadrilogy.
Namajunas returned to the win column when she beat Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision at UFC Atlanta.
The former two-time strawweight champion is still on the hunt for gold at 125lbs as a victory against someone who has taken the throne could put her as the next title challenger.
The flyweight rankings already have options for the next championship fight, but a statement between either competitor in this bout could sway the matchmakers.
