Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fought for the interim UFC lightweight championship at UFC 324 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event marked the start of UFC's new streaming deal with important+, drawing fans to watch fights that included former champions and rising names. This card kicked off the year with high stakes as the winner eyes a shot at the regular champion, who stepped away for personal reasons.
Background
UFC 324 brought together fighters from around the world to T-Mobile Arena, a common spot for big UFC nights. The main event put Gaethje, a 37-year-old American known for his powerful striking, against Pimblett, a 31-year-old from Liverpool on a nine-fight win streak. Gaethje held an interim title before and won three of his last five bouts, including a decision over Rafael Fiziev after a knockout loss to Max Holloway. Pimblett stayed perfect in the UFC at 7-0, with his latest win a stoppage against Michael Chandler, though many of his recent foes were over 35.
Talk before the fight centered on whether these two deserved the title shot. Some pointed out Arman Tsarukyan as a stronger pick, but UFC moved ahead with this matchup. The lightweight division sits in flux with champion Ilia Topuria out, making this interim belt a key step. Pimblett calls himself 'Paddy The Baddy' and has built a fan base with his personality and finishes. Gaethje brings experience from title fights he did not win, putting him in a must-win spot.
The co-main event shifted when injuries hit. A planned bout with Amanda Nunes fell through after Kayla Harrison got hurt, bumping Sean O'Malley against Song Yadong to the top spot after the main event. O'Malley, a former bantamweight champion, looked to rebuild, while Yadong aimed to break into title talk. Heavyweight action and women's flyweight rounded out a card with knockouts expected.
One early prelim saw a change when a fighter collapsed at weigh-ins, scratching a bout between Ricky Turcios and an opponent named Smotherman.
Key Details
The main card streamed on important+ starting at 9 p.m. ET. Betting odds favored Pimblett at -230 with Gaethje at +190. Other lines had O'Malley at -205 over Yadong (+170), Waldo Cortes-Acosta heavy favorite at -340 against Derrick Lewis (+270), and Natalia Silva at -380 versus Rose Namajunas (+300).
Main Card Results
Fights delivered quick finishes and tough decisions. Umar Nurmagomedov beat Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision in bantamweight after three rounds. In middleweight, Ateba Gautier took a unanimous decision over Andrey Pulyaev. Nikita Krylov knocked out Modestas Bukauskas with a right hand in the third round at 4:57, right before the bell.
Alex Perez landed a first-round knockout at 3:16 against Charles Johnson in flyweight, flattening him with strikes. Josh Hokit stopped Denzel Freeman in the first at 4:59 in heavyweight. Adam Fugitt knocked out Ty Miller in the first round at 4:59 in welterweight.
Jean Silva won a unanimous decision over Arnold Allen in featherweights, scoring 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. Both men fought hard in a back-and-forth battle. Waldo Cortes-Acosta faced Derrick Lewis in heavyweights, Natalia Silva took on Rose Namajunas in women's flyweights, and the co-main saw O'Malley versus Yadong. The headline bout pitted Gaethje's knockout power against Pimblett's submission skills and ground game.
"Paddy Pimblett always finds a way to win," said UFC president Dana White after the event.
Preliminary fights added to the night's energy, with Nikita Krylov's late knockout drawing cheers from the Las Vegas crowd. Perez's quick work set an early tone of violence. The arena filled with fans watching the shift to important+ streaming, a change from past pay-per-view models in the U.S.
Notable Moments
Krylov's punch came as a buzzer-beater, dropping Bukauskas just before the round ended. Perez overwhelmed Johnson early, showing sharp striking. Heavyweight clashes promised power, living up to the hype with Hokit securing a stoppage. Silva's decision over Allen highlighted resilience, as both traded heavy shots over 15 minutes.
What This Means
The winner of Gaethje versus Pimblett sets up a likely unification bout with Ilia Topuria upon his return. A Pimblett victory cements his rise from prospect to contender, potentially facing his rival Topuria in a massive draw. Gaethje winning gives him a second interim belt and a chance to finally claim undisputed gold at 37.
O'Malley's result against Yadong impacts bantamweight rankings, where he seeks another title run. Yadong's performance could push him toward the top five. Heavyweight outcomes like Cortes-Acosta over Lewis shake up a division full of giants, opening doors for winners.
Silva's win over Namajunas, a two-time champion, boosts her profile in women's flyweight. Namajunas drops further from her peak. Krylov's knockout extends his streak, making him a threat in light heavyweight.
This event tests the important+ partnership, with U.S. fans accessing all fights without extra pay, unlike some international markets. Early knockouts kept viewers hooked, signaling a strong start to UFC's streaming era. Fighters like Nurmagomedov and Gautier build momentum with decisions, while Perez eyes bigger names after his finish.
Dana White mentioned future plans, including a possible White House event, hinting at UFC's growing reach. Pimblett spoke of retiring Gaethje beforehand, adding trash talk to the buildup. Results shift paths for many on the card, with prelim winners gaining traction and main card victors knocking on title doors.
The night showed UFC's depth, mixing veterans like Lewis and Namajunas with newcomers like Gautier and Hokit. T-Mobile Arena buzzed as fights ended, setting the stage for the next numbered event.
