Gaethje Claims Interim Lightweight Title as UFC Debuts on Paramount+

LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – Justin Gaethje secured the interim lightweight title by defeating Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC 324 on Saturday, January 24, at T-Mobile Arena. The event marked a significant turning point for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as it debuted its new, exclusive live-streaming partnership with Paramount+, signaling an end to the pay-per-view era for the promotion.

Gaethje, known as “The Highlight,” engaged in a brutal, action-packed five-round bout against the resilient Pimblett. The interim title fight was necessitated by the current UFC lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, taking a leave of absence amid allegations of domestic violence against his estranged wife.

Gaethje’s Gritty Performance Secures Interim Gold

From the opening bell, Justin Gaethje, 37, showcased why he is considered one of the sport’s most exciting fighters. Despite deviating from his coach’s strategy in the first round by aggressively pursuing a knockout, Gaethje inflicted significant damage on Paddy Pimblett, 31. He connected with powerful body shots, including one that hit Pimblett’s solar plexus, leaving the British fighter in pain.

The fight was a relentless exchange, with Gaethje consistently pressing forward, landing combinations, and taking Pimblett down multiple times. Pimblett, bleeding profusely from his right eye and later his nose, demonstrated remarkable toughness, enduring a barrage of punches and returning fire with kicks and jabs. Gaethje himself acknowledged Pimblett’s durability, calling him “a gangster” for finishing the fight on his feet. Pimblett, in turn, lauded Gaethje, stating, “I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than The Highlight. … It shows why he’s a legend right there.” With this victory, Gaethje improved his professional record to 27-5, while Pimblett’s record fell to 23-4, marking his first loss in ten fights.

Key Undercard Victories and Notable Moments

The UFC 324 card featured several other compelling matchups:

• Sean O’Malley Defeats Song Yadong: Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (19-3) secured a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Song Yadong (22-9-1). O’Malley’s precise striking, particularly in the third round, caused significant bleeding from Song’s nose and mouth, culminating in a decisive knee to the face.
• Waldo Cortes-Acosta Stops Derrick Lewis: In a heavyweight clash, Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2) defeated veteran Derrick Lewis (29-13) by TKO in the second round. Lewis, after a slip, remained on his back, allowing Cortes-Acosta to unleash a flurry of punches that prompted the referee to halt the contest.
• Natalia Silva Edges Rose Namajunas Amidst Boos: Natalia Silva (20-5-1) earned a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (15-8) in a women’s flyweight bout. The decision was met with boos from the crowd, reflecting a perception that Namajunas had done enough to win, despite Silva’s late-fight aggression. Silva, on a 14-fight win streak, acknowledged, “I’m sorry, guys, because this was not my best moment.”
• Jean Silva’s Unanimous Win Over Arnold Allen: Jean Silva (17-3) defeated Arnold Allen (20-4) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in a featherweight contest. The fight included a rare moment in the third round where Silva, after taking Allen down, jumped off his back.

UFC’s Historic Shift to Paramount+

UFC 324 marked the beginning of a new era for the promotion, as all fights, from early prelims to the main card, were streamed exclusively on Paramount+. This move is part of a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion deal between the UFC and Paramount+, ending the UFC’s seven-year broadcasting partnership with ESPN. Under this new model, the traditional pay-per-view rates previously charged by ESPN are eliminated, with fans gaining access to UFC events through a Paramount+ subscription, priced at $8.99 per month.

This strategic shift aims to bring upwards of 40 UFC events a year to a broader audience via the streaming platform, significantly changing how fans consume the sport. The event also saw Dominick Cruz, a two-time bantamweight champion with a career record of 24-4, announced as a member of the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame class.

However, the debut was not without its controversial moments. Heavyweight Josh Hokit, after his TKO victory over Denzel Freeman, recited a post-victory poem that concluded with a disparaging remark about legendary women’s basketball player Brittney Griner. The comments, and the broadcast team’s apparent endorsement, drew criticism, though Paramount+ offered no official comment on the incident.

The transition to Paramount+ represents a monumental gamble for the UFC, trading the established pay-per-view revenue model for a subscription-based streaming service in a bid to expand its global reach and potentially attract a younger, digitally native audience, while simultaneously navigating the complexities of content moderation on a live platform.