UFC 324 arrived at full speed, and didn’t let up. In the first numbered event of the UFC-Paramount+ era, big names showed why they’re still in the conversation, rising contenders made their case louder, and by the end of the night, the lightweight picture looked very different from what it did a few hours earlier.
At the center of it all was Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblet, the main event that did not disappoint. Featuring a pair of never-say-die performances, the fight brought the crowd at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena to its feet at the start of the fifth and final round. And while Gaethje won the interim title that was at stake, nobody lost.
This UFC 324 recap breaks down the event’s biggest moments, final results, standout performances from Gaethje vs. Pimblett, and what the outcomes mean going forward. It also tells you how you can watch and stream all the fights of UFC 324 on demand on Paramount+.
Three of the biggest moments from UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
1. Gaethje and Pimblett go to war in the Fight of the Night
The interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett exceeded the hype, with Gaethje grinding out the hard-fought, unanimous decision victory (48-47, 49-46, 49-46). In a bout that went the distance, Gaethje scored three takedowns across the five rounds, and pummeled Pimblett with 200 total strikes (to Pimblett’s 170).
“I knew it was going to be a war, and I just kept walking forward,” Gaethje said after the fight.
In the end, the 37-year-old American was fitted with the interim belt. Gaethje, who went into the night as the division’s No. 4-ranked fighter, is now positioned as a top contender to reigning lightweight champ Ilia Topuria.
Even in defeat, fan-favorite Pimblett showed why fans love him. The 31-year-old from England got back up time and again, giving as good as he got from Gaethje.
“This wasn’t the result I wanted, but I’m going to come back stronger,” a post-fight Pimblett said. “This is just the beginning for me.”
WATCH NOW: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (UFC 324)
2. Heavyweight highlight finish: Cortes Acosta’s TKO
One of the night’s most explosive moments came in the heavyweight division, where Waldo Cortes Acosta dominated Derrick Lewis en route to a second-round TKO. Cortes Acosta’s combination of calculated striking (he landed 46 of 64), and physical pressure forced a stoppage. Cortes Acosta went into the night as his division’s No. 5-ranked fighter. He ended it solidifying his ascent in the heavyweight ranks.
“This is about Waldo Cortes Acosta going all the way to the top,” Cortes Acosta said after the win. “I’m here to chase the title.”
WATCH NOW: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (UFC 324)
3. O’Malley’s return and other competitive bouts
In the UFC 324 co-main event, American bantamweight Sean O’Malley bounced back from his UFC 316 loss to Merab Dvalishvili with a unanimous decision win over Song Yadong. It was “the return of the Suga Show,” the former titleholder said.
The division’s No. 3-ranked fighter heading into the night, O’Malley also used his post-fight platform to call for a rematch against Petr Yan, the reigning bantamweight champ who O’Malley defeated at UFC 280. “I want that belt, he said. “Let’s make it happen.”
Elsewhere on the UFC 324 fight card, Natalia Silva edged Rose Namajunas in a tough women’s flyweight bout, while featherweight Jean Silva’s decision win over Arnold Allen grabbed extra attention after Silva climbed onto Allen’s prone back, and hopped off, as the final seconds ticked away.
WATCH NOW: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong (UFC 324)
UFC 324: Winners, results, and key outcomes
Here’s how the official results broke down for the 11 UFC 324 fights across the main, prelim and early cards.
UFC 324
- Date: Jan. 24, 2026
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Card results
- Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett – unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) for the interim lightweight title
- Sean O’Mally def. Song Yadong – unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis – TKO (punches) (at 3:14 in Round 2)
- Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas – unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen – unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelim results
- Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deivesoon Figueiredo – unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev – unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas – KO (punches) (at 4:57 in Round 3)
- Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson – TKO (punches) (at 3:16 in Round 1)
Early prelims results
- Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman – TKO (punches) (at 4:59 in Round 1)
- Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt – TKO (punches) (at 4:59 in Round 1)
A would-be 12th UFC 324 fight – a lightweight clash between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson – was canceled on the day of the event.
How UFC 324 results shift the landscape
Gaethje’s interim lightweight title win sets up a compelling future for the division, especially with reigning champion Ilia Topuria currently inactive. The victory positions Gaethje as a clear frontrunner for the next major title showdown.
O’Malley’s unanimous decision also scrambles the picture. After defeating Song Yadong, O’Malley made it clear he wants a new shot at the bantamweight belt he lost to Dvalishvili at UFC 306, and failed to recapture at UFC 316.
How to watch UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett on demand
You can watch UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett on demand on Paramount+. All 11 fights of UFC 324 are now streaming, along with UFC 324 fight highlights, and a 25-minute, “All Fights. No Filler” UFC 324 video recap.
To watch or rewatch all this UFC 324 action, plus everything else the UFC on Paramount+ library has to offer, as well as future live UFC action, like UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2, all you need is a Paramount+ subscription. Plans start at $8.99 a month.
You can get started with your Paramount+ subscription by signing up, and picking your plan. Here’s a quick look at the two subscription plans available to you, Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ Premium.
Paramount+ Essential plan
- Price: $8.99/month*, or $89.99/year*
- Ads or no ads? Ads.
- What you get: 40,000 episodes and movies, live NFL on CBS games, live UEFA Champions League matches — and, live UFC events, on-demand UFC events, access to the UFC library, more.
Paramount+ Premium plan
- Price: $13.99/month*, or $139.99/year*
- Ads or no ads? No ads. (Note: Live TV includes commercials, and is subject to availability. Additionally, you may see a quick preview or trailer before a show.)
- What you get: Everything the Essential plan offers, plus SHOWTIME® shows and movies, and the ability to stream your local CBS station live.
*Plus applicable taxes. Prices current as of publication.
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