LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – Liverpudlian star Paddy Pimblett is set to challenge veteran Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title at UFC 324 tonight, Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For fans in the United Kingdom, the highly anticipated main card is scheduled to begin in the early hours of Sunday, January 25, at 2 AM GMT, marking a pivotal moment in Pimblett’s career as he vies for his first championship belt.
Pimblett vs. Gaethje: UK Start Times and Broadcast Details
The main event features Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, ranked fifth in the lightweight division, squaring off against the fourth-ranked Justin Gaethje, a former interim champion known for his aggressive style. This bout represents Pimblett’s inaugural opportunity to fight for UFC gold, following his impressive third-round TKO victory over Michael Chandler in April, which propelled him up the rankings. The winner of this clash is expected to face Ilia Topuria, the reigning undisputed lightweight champion, who is currently taking a break from MMA.
For UK viewers, the action commences with the early prelims at 10 PM GMT on Saturday, January 24. The regular prelims will follow at 12 AM GMT on Sunday, January 25, leading into the main card at 2 AM GMT. Pimblett and Gaethje, as the headline act, are anticipated to make their octagon walkouts around 4:25 AM GMT, though this timing is subject to change based on the duration of preceding fights. The entire event will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports Box Office, available for a cost of £19.99, and can also be accessed via Discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports. In the United States, Paramount+ will stream the event as part of the UFC’s new seven-year broadcast deal.
Full Fight Card and Key Undercard Bouts
While the Pimblett-Gaethje showdown anchors the event, UFC 324 features a robust card of compelling matchups. The co-main event will see former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley take on China’s Song Yadong. O’Malley is looking to rebound after back-to-back defeats by Merab Dvalishvili, while Yadong enters with three wins in his last four fights, including a technical decision over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo.
Originally, a major women’s bantamweight title defense between Kayla Harrison and the returning Amanda Nunes was scheduled, but it was postponed due to an injury sustained by Harrison earlier this month. The main card also includes heavyweight action with Waldo Cortes-Acosta facing Derrick Lewis, a women’s flyweight bout between Natalia Silva and Rose Namajunas, and a featherweight contest featuring Arnold Allen against Jean Silva. Notable preliminary fights include Umar Nurmagomedov versus Deiveson Figueiredo in the bantamweight division and Nikita Krylov against Modestas Bukauskas in a light-heavyweight clash.
Pimblett’s Aspirations and Celebrity Support
Paddy Pimblett has expressed immense confidence heading into what he describes as one of the biggest fights of his career. He aims to become the first fighter from Liverpool to claim a UFC belt, a goal he has manifested since the start of his career. The Liverpudlian has received a wave of support, including good luck messages from football legends Jurgen Klopp, Steven Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney, with Pimblett stating, “I will run through a brick wall for that man [Klopp] so there is no way I am losing after a message off him, Gerrard and Rooney.”
Pimblett, who has previously fought in America with wins over Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Jared Gordon, has also shared his long-term ambitions. He hopes for at least another seven or eight fights in the UFC, aiming to win the interim belt, then the undisputed title, and potentially defend it. He has also voiced a dream of fighting at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, suggesting he might not fight in the UK again unless it’s at the iconic stadium.
Stakes and Divisional Implications
The interim lightweight title bout carries significant weight for the UFC’s highly competitive 155-pound division. For Justin Gaethje, it represents an opportunity to reclaim a belt he previously held and potentially secure one last shot at the undisputed title. For Paddy Pimblett, it is a chance to validate his rapid ascent and cement his status as a legitimate championship contender. The creation of an interim title has also stirred debate, particularly with Arman Tsarukyan, who sits at the top of the lightweight rankings, being controversially overlooked for this opportunity, highlighting the depth and political complexities within the division.
This interim title fight is more than just a championship opportunity for Paddy Pimblett; it is a test of his readiness to join the elite of the lightweight division and navigate the intense pressure that accompanies a main event, title-contending status, potentially setting the stage for a highly anticipated unification bout and further elevating his global profile in the sport.