British MMA star Paddy Pimblett is poised for the biggest fight of his career this weekend, as he challenges for UFC gold for the very first time. 'The Baddy' will face the formidable Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Stakes Could Not Be Higher in Las Vegas Showdown
The high-stakes clash comes about after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria was forced to step aside temporarily due to personal reasons. The winner of Saturday's bout will not only leave the T-Mobile Arena with the interim belt but will also secure the next shot at Topuria's undisputed crown, guaranteeing a blockbuster atmosphere.
Pimblett enters the contest riding the momentum of a spectacular third-round knockout victory over Michael Chandler in April of last year. Gaethje, meanwhile, last competed in March, securing a decision win against Rafael Fiziev. Both men have promised an all-action fight, with the interim title and a future legacy-defining opportunity on the line.
UFC 324 Fight Card, UK Start Time & How to Watch
The event takes place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For fans in the United Kingdom, the action unfolds across the early hours of Sunday morning.
The early preliminary fights are scheduled to begin at approximately 10pm GMT on Saturday. The regular prelims will follow at 12am GMT on Sunday, with the main card set for a 2am GMT start on Sunday morning. The main event walkouts, featuring Pimblett and Gaethje, are expected at around 4am GMT. All timings are subject to change based on the length of the earlier bouts.
In the UK, the entire UFC 324 pay-per-view will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office at a cost of £19.99. The event can be purchased via discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Sky, and Virgin Media TV; a TNT Sports subscription is not required to buy it.
Revised UFC 324 Main Card Line-Up
The co-main event originally slated to feature Kayla Harrison defending her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes was scrapped after Harrison withdrew due to injury. This has elevated a tantalising bantamweight contest between Sean O'Malley and Song Yadong to the chief support slot.
The full main card for UFC 324 is as follows:
- Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje (Interim Lightweight Title)
- Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
- Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
Fighter Quotes: War of Words Before the War in the Octagon
In the build-up, both fighters have expressed their trademark confidence. Gaethje, known for his brutal honesty and thrilling style, downplayed the interim nature of the belt, focusing on the financial reward.
"I don't ever plan on being alive after the fight, so... if that's how it ends, that's how it ends," Gaethje stated. "An interim championship is not the same, but on paper, it is the same. I get paid as a champion. So, ultimately, this is my job."
Pimblett, never one to shy away from bold predictions, pointed to a potential blueprint for victory and dismissed those underestimating his stand-up skills.
"There's the blueprint there to beat him. Max [Holloway] has done it," Pimblett said, referencing Gaethje's past loss. "Everyone thinks I'm just going to come in and I'm going to take him down. And I'm not... He had an absolute war with Chandler, and I pieced Chandler up. You'll just see come January 24 when we have a perfect game plan, and we finish him within three."
With both men promising a finish and a direct path to the undisputed title awaiting the victor, UFC 324 is set to be an unmissable night of combat sports action.
