UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett – A Clash of Styles and Eras
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to kick off the new year with a bang as UFC 324 lands in Las Vegas, featuring a highly anticipated matchup between Justin Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. The event, scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena, will see the two fighters compete for the interim lightweight title, marking the first numbered UFC event of the new Paramount+ broadcast era.
What to Expect from the Gaethje vs Pimblett Fight
This fight is a classic example of a crossroads narrative, pitting a proven veteran against a rising contender who has learned to win ugly when necessary. Gaethje, 37, boasts an impressive record of 26-5, with a reputation for delivering thrilling performances that often earn him Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. On the other hand, Pimblett, 31, is heavily motivated, with a record of 23-3, and is looking to validate his place in the elite lightweight conversation.
Stylistically, the two fighters differ significantly. Gaethje’s fighting style is built for violence, with a high strike rate of 6.59 strikes landed per minute, indicating his comfort in extended exchanges. In contrast, Pimblett’s profile suggests he is more of an opportunist on the mat, with a higher submission rate of 1.68 submissions per 15 minutes, and a tendency to change levels and attempt takedowns when the opportunity arises.
The early minutes of the fight will likely tell the story, as Gaethje’s ability to plant his feet and keep Pimblett at bay with punishing combinations could make for a tough welcome to the top five for the Briton. However, if Pimblett can get Gaethje reacting, feinting entries, and threatening in the clinch, he may be able to turn the fight into a messy and exhausting bout where one slip could lead to a back take.
Psychological Game and Interim Belt Stakes
The psychological game is real in this fight, with both men talking like they expect consequences. Pimblett has promised that Gaethje won’t be physically the same after the fight, while Gaethje has discussed wanting to retire by 2027, framing this as part of his final push toward undisputed gold. The interim belt matters beyond the hardware, as it’s not just about Gaethje’s last run or Pimblett’s arrival, but about who gets to sit at the front of the line when the division’s champion is ready to return.
Where to Watch the UFC 324 Fight
For fans in Canada, Sportsnet is the home of the UFC, and UFC 324 will be carried through Sportsnet+, with the main card available as a separate PPV purchase. Note that a Sportsnet+ subscription is not required to buy the PPV, but it does include PPV prelims and UFC Fight Nights.
Canadian Start Times
The main card starts at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, with prelims at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, and early prelims at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Converted across Canada, the start times are as follows:
- Newfoundland (NST): Early prelims 6:30 p.m., prelims 8:30 p.m., main card 10:30 p.m.
- Atlantic (AST): Early prelims 6:00 p.m., prelims 8:00 p.m., main card 10:00 p.m.
- Eastern (ET – Toronto/Montreal/Ottawa): Early prelims 5:00 p.m., prelims 7:00 p.m., main card 9:00 p.m.
- Central (CT – Winnipeg): Early prelims 4:00 p.m., prelims 6:00 p.m., main card 8:00 p.m.
- Mountain (MT – Calgary/Edmonton): Early prelims 3:00 p.m., prelims 5:00 p.m., main card 7:00 p.m.
- Pacific (PT – Vancouver/Victoria): Early prelims 2:00 p.m., prelims 4:00 p.m., main card 6:00 p.m.
What to Do Between Fights
During the downtime between fights, fans can stay engaged by checking main-event predictions, playing online casino games with MMA-related themes, looking at fight stats, or following social media discussions about the upcoming duel.
Ilia Topuria and Other Fighters Weigh In on the Fight
The fighter verdicts on this matchup are split, with some backing Gaethje due to his experience, proven toughness, and power, while others pick Pimblett due to his momentum, grappling threat, and ability to capitalize on mistakes. Ilia Topuria, Sean O’Malley, Alexander Volkanovski, Arnold Allen, Tony Ferguson, and Demetrious Johnson are among those who pick Pimblett, citing his momentum and grappling skills. On the other hand, Dustin Poirier, Arman Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker, Eddie Alvarez, and Khalil Rountree back Gaethje, highlighting his power and resume in big-fight moments.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Pimblett’s best path to victory is reliable enough against a man who punishes every mistake, or if Gaethje’s violence is too consistent over five rounds. The verdicts are split because the fight is split: clean striking vs. messy grappling, veteran damage vs. younger opportunism, the known commodity vs. the bet.
