Overview
- Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje headlines UFC 324 on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for a newly created interim lightweight title, opening the UFC's Paramount era.
- Undisputed champion Ilia Topuria remains on hiatus and has not been stripped, with the winner expected to unify if he returns later in 2026.
- Pimblett said he has postponed his 31st-birthday celebrations until after the event to focus on camp and making the 155-pound limit.
- Pimblett suggested Alexander Volkanovski could seek a lightweight shot if Pimblett wins and is later upgraded to undisputed, a matchup he says he does not want and that remains speculative.
- Pre-fight context notes Pimblett's 10 submission wins in 23 victories and Gaethje's past submission losses in title fights as a potential stylistic factor.