Overview
- A seven-year deal with Paramount+ begins later this month, with UFC 324 launching the era and featuring Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title due to Ilia Topuria’s hiatus.
- CBS Sports spotlights Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria as the year’s biggest realistic matchup, while noting Topuria’s ongoing legal situation creates timing hurdles for a unifier in 2026.
- Topuria vs. Pimblett is framed as the largest lightweight title unifier if Pimblett defeats Gaethje, building on a long-running rivalry that dates back to a 2022 altercation.
- Conor McGregor is expected to be eligible to compete by March, and Dana White has expressed interest in booking his return on the planned White House card.
- After 11 UFC title changes in 2025, Michael Bisping predicts only two men’s divisions—flyweight and bantamweight—will see new champions by year’s end, tipping Manel Kape and Merab Dvalishvili.