LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – Veteran heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis competed on the main card of UFC 324, which took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event was headlined by a compelling interim lightweight title bout between former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, and notably marked the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s inaugural live broadcast on the Paramount+ streaming platform.
Lewis, known for his knockout power and charismatic personality, faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight clash that was a key part of the main card lineup. While specific fight outcomes for Lewis’s bout were not immediately detailed by official UFC channels, his inclusion on such a significant card underscored his enduring presence and draw within the competitive heavyweight division.
UFC 324: A New Era for Broadcasts
UFC 324 represented a pivotal moment for the organization’s broadcast strategy, being the first live event streamed exclusively on Paramount+. This move aims to expand the UFC’s reach and accessibility to a broader audience through a major streaming service. The event was meticulously organized, featuring early prelims starting at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT, followed by prelims at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, and the main card commencing live on Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, as detailed by UFC.com.
The main event, a clash for the interim UFC lightweight title, pitted Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje, a formidable striker, entered the bout with a record of three wins in his past five fights, while Pimblett boasted an impressive nine-fight winning streak, including a 7-0 record within the UFC, according to MMA Fighting. This high-stakes encounter served as the centerpiece of a card designed to captivate a new streaming audience.
Co-Main Event and Other Notable Bouts
The co-main event featured an intriguing bantamweight contest between former UFC champion and current No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley and No. 5 ranked Song Yadong. O’Malley, a Helena, Montana native, entered the fight with an 18-3-0 (1 NC) record, seeking to rebound after two recent losses to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 and UFC 306, as reported by KYSFM.com. Song Yadong, also known as the ‘Kung Fu Kid,’ brought a 22-8-1 record into the Octagon, having won three of his previous four fights.
Beyond the top two fights, the main card also showcased other significant matchups, including Natalia Silva against Rose Namajunas and Arnold Allen versus Jean Silva. The preliminary card featured bouts such as Umar Nurmagomedov against Deiveson Figueiredo and Nikita Krylov versus Modestas Bukauskas, adding depth to a packed night of fights. One scheduled prelim bout, Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman, was canceled after Smotherman fainted at the weigh-ins, MMA Fighting confirmed.
Derrick Lewis’s Continued Presence
Derrick Lewis, often referred to as ‘The Black Beast,’ has remained a consistent presence in the UFC’s heavyweight division for years, known for his ability to deliver spectacular knockouts. His participation in UFC 324 against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a rising contender, highlights the organization’s strategy to blend established stars with emerging talent on major cards. Lewis’s fights consistently draw significant attention due to his unpredictable style and power, making him a valuable asset for a debut broadcast on a new platform.
Lewis’s inclusion on the UFC 324 main card underscores the strategic importance of leveraging veteran fighters with proven fan appeal to anchor significant events, particularly those marking new broadcast partnerships. His presence helped solidify the card’s draw for an audience tuning into the UFC’s first live show on Paramount+, demonstrating the organization’s reliance on both championship-level contests and popular figures to drive engagement.