The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) kicked off its new year with the highly anticipated event UFC 324 last night, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the first event under Paramount+, marking a new chapter for the organization. The main event of the evening featured a thrilling five-round battle between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, where “The Highlight” emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, securing the interim Lightweight championship. Highlights from the match can be viewed online.

In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley delivered a strong performance against Song Yadong, winning via unanimous decision and ending his two-fight losing streak. The win was a significant step forward for O’Malley, who is looking to regain his place among the top contenders in the division.

Winner: Justin Gaethje

Who He Should Face Next: Ilia Topuria

While there is no clear timetable for Ilia Topuria’s return to action, Gaethje has expressed willingness to wait for the opportunity to face him. A fight between the two would be a highly anticipated matchup, as both fighters are known for their striking prowess and aggressive styles. Gaethje, having won his second interim title, is eager to unify the Lightweight division and claim the undisputed championship.

Winner: Sean O’Malley

Who He Should Face Next: Umar Nurmagomedov

Despite O’Malley’s recent victory over Song Yadong, many question whether he is ready for a title shot. Prior to this win, O’Malley had lost two consecutive title fights against Merab Dvalishvili and only had one successful title defense before losing to “The Machine.” Umar Nurmagomedov, who defeated Deiveson Figueiredo at this event, is on a two-fight winning streak and is ranked ahead of O’Malley. It seems inevitable that O’Malley will have to face Nurmagomedov soon, regardless of his own expectations.

Winner: Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Who He Should Face Next: Curtis Blaydes

After stopping Derrick Lewis in the second round of their Heavyweight bout, Cortes-Acosta called out Curtis Blaydes, citing some personal issues between the two. Given that they are only separated by one spot in the rankings, with Blaydes at No. 4 and Cortes-Acosta at No. 5, the matchup makes sense. However, Josh Hokit, who recently defeated Denzel Freeman, is still early in his UFC career and may not be ready for a high-profile fight just yet.

Winner: Natalia Silva

Who She Should Face Next: Valentina Shevchenko title fight

Natalia Silva extended her winning streak to eight straight victories inside the Octagon after earning a controversial decision win over Rose Namajunas. Many fans believed that “Thug Rose” had done enough to secure the victory, but the judges ruled in favor of Silva. Her undefeated record inside the Octagon should be enough to earn her a shot at Valentina Shevchenko, who last fought in November 2024, defeating Zhang Weili at UFC 322.

Winner: Jean Silva

Who He Should Face Next: Aljamain Sterling

Jean Silva made a strong comeback with an impressive win over Arnold Allen, bouncing back from his loss to Diego Lopes. With a victory over Allen, who is ranked No. 6, it makes sense to challenge the fighter ranked ahead of him, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling, who last defeated Brian Ortega in August 2025, is expected to be ready for a return to action. If Silva can defeat Sterling, he could position himself within the Top 5 and take a major step toward a world title shot.

For more updates on UFC 324 and other news, check out the comprehensive event archive.