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Tag: UFC 324

  • “I’m Glad To Watch Warriors Like These Two” – Paulo Costa, Dustin Poirier, Belal Muhammad And Other Fighters & Fans Extol Justin Gaethje And Paddy Pimblett After Interim Title War At UFC 324

    “I’m Glad To Watch Warriors Like These Two” – Paulo Costa, Dustin Poirier, Belal Muhammad And Other Fighters & Fans Extol Justin Gaethje And Paddy Pimblett After Interim Title War At UFC 324

    Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett put an exclamation point to start the UFC on Paramount era, putting on a memorable classic that will be considered perhaps the first nominee for 2026’s Fight of the Year.

    And now after all that violence, Gaethje took the decision in the UFC 324 main event and became a two-time interim UFC lightweight champion in the process.

    The two went to a trading battle early, as both looked to control the cage and make the other taste their power. Pimblett connected with a pair of shots, only for Gaethje to respond with a solid counter. Gaethje landed a left hand that dropped Pimblett, stunning him, but Pimblett got back to the feet.

    The two continued to trade, though notably Pimblett was connected with a series of leg kicks to compromise Gaethje’s legs. Gaethje looked for a headlock early in round two, but Pimblett worked his way out of it. Gaethje continued his momentum, rocking Pimblett with a knee after a second front headlock and landing a barrage of ground strikes before the horn to end the second round.

    Gaethje’s momentum slowed during the third round, as the fight pace slowed but Pimblett’s jab was on display. A strong right late in the round caught Gaethje’s attention, and Gaethje attempted to respond back.

    Pimblett landed a strong left early in the fourth round, but Gaethje made Pimblett taste power again with a left hook before a wrestling-style cradle on the ground briefly. Gaethje scored another knockdown immediately after by catching a kick and landing an overhand right. Gaethje rocked Pimblett with another series of bombs against the fence. Pimblett connected flush on Gaethje, only for Gaethje to answer with strong ground strikes before the end of the round.

    Justin Gaethje Claims Interim Lightweight Title In War With Paddy Pimblett At UFC 324

    Entering the fifth, Gaethje had the edge in significant strikes 148-134. Both connected with hard shots in the first minute of round five. Pimblett looked for a takedown, but Gaethje countered, and the two battled against the fence until there were about 100 seconds remaining.

    With both men tired, Pimblett landed a strong combination that forced Gaethje to clinch. Both men landed on the inside before Gaethje pressed Pimblett against the fence again. The two threw down for the final 10 seconds, and they made it to the final horn.

    Gaethje has now won four of his last six fights. Previously, Gaethje defeated Tony Ferguson for interim lightweight gold at UFC 249 but was unsuccessful in his UFC 254 unification bout with a retiring Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    Pimblett tastes defeat in the Octagon for the first time since his 2021 UFC debut. This is his first loss since falling to Soren Bak in Cage Warriors in September 2018.

  • “Just Give O’Malley A 30-24 At This Point” – Fans & Fighters Debate Sean O’Malley’s Chances At Gold After Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    “Just Give O’Malley A 30-24 At This Point” – Fans & Fighters Debate Sean O’Malley’s Chances At Gold After Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    It wasn’t the strongest performance, but it was a win when it mattered for Sean O’Malley, as he defeats Song Yadong in the co-main event of UFC 324.

    O’Malley seemed to have the advantage in the striking department during a quiet first round. Yadong, however, took control with a late takedown in spite of a guillotine attempt from O’Malley.

    Yadong’s grappling pressure was on display in the second round again, landing another pair of takedowns and controlling the action by focusing on O’Malley’s leg, compromising it.

    O’Malley turned up the heat in the third round, getting his striking going and scoring a decision win.

    Sean O’Malley Gets Needed Rebound With Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    https://twitter.com/JourdainAir/status/2015278769481584676?s=20

    This was O’Malley’s first fight after losing back-to-back bantamweight title fights to Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 and UFC 316. O’Malley held the UFC bantamweight title from his win at UFC 292 until his first loss to Dvalishvili.

    Yadong is now 3-2 in his last five, entering tonight’s bout off a win over Henry Cejudo at UFC Seattle last year.

  • “The Real Deal” – Fans & Fighters React To Waldo Cortes-Acosta Continue Heavyweight Momentum With Finish Of Derrick Lewis At UFC 324

    “The Real Deal” – Fans & Fighters React To Waldo Cortes-Acosta Continue Heavyweight Momentum With Finish Of Derrick Lewis At UFC 324

    Waldo Cortes-Acosta has made a statement — he’s coming for a heavyweight title shot. Cortes-Acosta emphasized that with a second-round finish of Derrick Lewis at UFC 324.

    Both men came out with stalking intentions, looking to find the opening to land the one power shot each needs. Though Lewis threw a few round kicks, there wasn’t much landing from either man during the first round.

    Cortes-Acosta’s strategy seemed to be to tire Lewis out, and he did a lot of countering and dodging during the first five minutes. It seemed to pay off for Cortes-Acosta early in the second, catching Lewis with a cracking counter. WCA continued to use his jab and dodging speed to give Lewis issues.

    Suddenly, in the second round, Lewis appeared to slip. Lewis did not get up immediately, and Cortes-Acosta jumped on, landing a flurry on of ground strikes until the referee waved off the bout.

    Waldo Cortes-Acosta Makes Easy Work Of Derrick Lewis At UFC 324

    Cortes-Acosta was one of the UFC’s top fighters in 2025, going 4-1. His star power rose in November by scoring a comeback, first-round knockout of Ante Delija at UFC Vegas 110, and then making a quick turnaround and knocking out Shamil Gaziev at UFC Qatar three weeks later.

    Lewis is now 3-2 in his last five fights.

  • “No Chance Thug Rose Lost That Fight” – Fans And Fighters React As Natalia Silva Gets Controversial Decision Win Over Rose Namajunas In Title Eliminator At UFC 324

    “No Chance Thug Rose Lost That Fight” – Fans And Fighters React As Natalia Silva Gets Controversial Decision Win Over Rose Namajunas In Title Eliminator At UFC 324

    Natalia Silva now finds herself closer to challenging for the UFC women’s flyweight championship after her win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 324; however, it was a win that was heavily disputed.

    The opening round appeared to be a quiet, tough to score one, with plenty of feints. Silva tried to get things going with her punches, but Namajunas’ footwork made it difficult for her to land anything major.

    Namajunas furthered the distance in the second round, which included landing a takedown and controlling the action completely on the ground. Silva turned up the heat in round three and completely out-struck Namajunas, controlling the action in the most clear round of the bout.

    Silva took 29-28 scores on all three judges’ cards.

    Natalia Silva Scores Controversial Decision Win Over Rose Namajunas At UFC 324

    Silva is now 8-0 in the UFC, having not lost in MMA since losing to Marina Rodriguez in 2017. Silva came into this bout off a win over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315.

    Namajunas is now 3-2 in her last five and is 3-3 since moving up to flyweight.

  • “Matchmaking At Its Finest” – Fighters & Fans React To Jean Silva Getting Nod In Tough Battle With Arnold Allen At UFC 324

    “Matchmaking At Its Finest” – Fighters & Fans React To Jean Silva Getting Nod In Tough Battle With Arnold Allen At UFC 324

    Arnold Allen and Jean Silva put on a clinic to open up the first UFC main card of 2026, with Silva getting the win at UFC 324.

    Allen kept his distance in the opening round, working his striking from the outside and controlling the action, slowly picking things up as the round went on. Silva landed a strong right hand and high kick in the closing seconds of the round, seemingly doing damage. He received a shove from Allen after the horn for his trouble.

    Silva scored a takedown on Allen early in the second, landing a strong left hand and high kick as Allen got back to his feet. The two had a back-and-forth exchange, with Silva getting a small cut under one of his eyes. Allen did damage with inside shots, including knees, but the two continued to answer one another.

    Allen looked to pressure in round three and utilize grappling control, but Silva out-landed him in terms of significant strikes during the frame and took the decision.

    Jean Silva Gets Decision In Back-And-Forth Battle With Arnold Allen At UFC 324

    Allen has now lost three of his last four. This was his first fight since defeating Giga Chikadze at UFC 304.

    Silva rebounds from a loss to Diego Lopes in the main event of Noche UFC 3 — a fight that snapped a 13-fight win streak Silva had been riding.

  • “I Do Not Feel Good About This Guy Fighting Yan Or Merab” – Fans & Fighters Debate After Umar Nurmagomedov’s One-Sided Decision Over Deiveson Figueiredo At UFC 324

    “I Do Not Feel Good About This Guy Fighting Yan Or Merab” – Fans & Fighters Debate After Umar Nurmagomedov’s One-Sided Decision Over Deiveson Figueiredo At UFC 324

    Deiveson Figueiredo seemed to have no answer for Umar Nurmagomedov, as the former bantamweight title challenger easily took a decision win in the featured preliminary card bout of UFC 324.

    Nurmagomedov took control of the fight from the opening minute, bringing his pressure and working Figueiredo around the cage. Nurmagomedov found success with a series of sneaky round kicks, adding in a pair of takedowns during the end of the opening round.

    Figueiredo didn’t seem to have much going in the first nine minutes or so of the fight, doing a lot of backing up as Nurmagomedov dictated the action. Figueiredo, however, did seem to get things going with his striking in the last minute of the second round.

    Figueiredo was on the outside again in the third round, as Nurmagomedov managed distance well. Nurmagomedov avoided a Figueiredo guillotine attempt as he scored a takedown and worked the former flyweight champion over in his guard. Nurmagomedov overwhelmed with top pressure from there as he cruised to a decision win.

    Umar Nurmagomedov Controls Action In Win Over Deiveson Figueiredo At UFC 324

    Nurmagomedov now has won back-to-back fights and improves to 20-1. His sole loss came at UFC 311, falling one round short of capturing the UFC bantamweight championship from Merab Dvalishvili.

    Figueiredo has now lost three of his last four. The former flyweight champion entered this fight off a split decision win over Montel Jackson in October. His other losses in this span came against current bantamweight champion Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen.

  • “Gautier Needed This Experience” – Fighters & Fans React As Ateba Gautier Goes Distance For First Time In UFC In Win Over Andrey Pulayev At UFC 324

    “Gautier Needed This Experience” – Fighters & Fans React As Ateba Gautier Goes Distance For First Time In UFC In Win Over Andrey Pulayev At UFC 324

    Andrey Pulyaev became the first fighter in the Octagon to make it past round one with Ateba Gautier, let alone go the distance with him. While that might be enough for a moral victory, Gautier still scored the decision win at UFC 324.

    Gautier cracked Pulayev with a right hand less than 15 seconds into the fight, and it looked like this one would be put away quickly like all of Gautier’s other fights. Pulayev, however, managed to survive the onslaught and looked to keep his distance.

    Pulayev found success with his distance-based kicks, circling away from the power of Gautier. Still, Gautier managed to stun Pulayev on a few occasions during the second and third rounds, including another dropping of Pulayev during the final frame.

    The judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28 (x2) in Pulayev’s favor.

    Ateba Gautier Goes The Distance, Defeats Andrey Pulayev At UFC 324

    Gautier is now 4-0 in the UFC since coming in from Dana White’s Contender Series. He entered this fight off a first-round finish of Tre’ston Vines at UFC 320.

    Pulayev is 1-2 in the UFC since his own DWCS appearance. He earned his first UFC win last time out, defeating Nick Klein.

  • VIDEO: Nikita Krylov Earns Finish Of Modestas Bukauskas With Three Seconds Left At UFC 324

    Nikita Krylov just earned his $25,000 finish bonus in epic fashion, pulling off a buzzer-beater finish of Modestas Bukauskas at UFC 324.

    After three straight first-round finishes to open up the night, Krylov vs. Bukauskas’ pacing seemed to bring things down. While Krylov landed well, the fight had more of a grappling focus, with Krylov looking to keep Bukauskas pinned against the fence during the first and second rounds.

    In the closing seconds of the round, Krylov, after getting it going, landed a cracking right hand that put Bukauskas down. Krylov got on top, on Bukauskas’ back, and landed some follow-up shots to score the finish with three seconds left in the fight.

    Nikita Krylov Cracks, Downs Modestas Bukauskas At UFC 324

    Krylov has now won four of six and snaps a two-fight losing skid.

    Bukauskas sees a four-fight win streak snapped.

  • “Criminally Underrated” – Fans Debate And Defend Alex Perez’s Abilities As He Beats Down Charles Johnson At UFC 324

    “Criminally Underrated” – Fans Debate And Defend Alex Perez’s Abilities As He Beats Down Charles Johnson At UFC 324

    While he missed weight for the fight, Alex Perez managed to at least make a statement in a flyweight division matchup, pulling off a first-round finish of Charles Johnson at UFC 324 in what could be a UFC tenure-saving finish.

    Perez managed to stun Johnson a couple of minutes into the fight, dropping him with a right-left combination. Perez managed to stay on Johnson, applying pressure and landing a couple of more stunning punches.

    Perez faceplanted Johnson, which prompted a referee’s stoppage in spite of (a stunned) Johnson’s attempts to continue.

    Alex Perez Finishes Charles Johnson At UFC 324

    Perez entered this fight off back-to-back losses against Tatsuro Taira and Asu Almabayev.

    Johnson has lost two of three now, but he’s still 5-2 in his last seven.

  • “Finish Via Middle Finger” – Fans React To Josh Hokit Manhandling Denzel Freeman, Delivering Pro Wrestling-Style Post-Fight Interview At UFC 324

    “Finish Via Middle Finger” – Fans React To Josh Hokit Manhandling Denzel Freeman, Delivering Pro Wrestling-Style Post-Fight Interview At UFC 324

    Two fights in the Paramount+ era, two last-second, first-round finishes. Josh Hokit is now 2-0 in the UFC after defeating Denzel Freeman during the preliminary card at UFC 324.

    Hokit quickly scored a takedown in about 15 seconds before proceeding to overwhelm Freeman with his freestyle wrestling experience. Hokit poured on the pressure, pitching a shutout in terms of strikes — and even at one point spanking Freeman.

    Freeman was wobbly in the fight’s last minute, clearly drained from Hokit’s pressure. In the closing seconds of the round, Freeman landed a punch and round kick before flipping Freeman off and walking away — as Freeman collapsed to the mat.

    Hokit then delivered a post-fight promo full of rhymes, a stray on Brittney Griner, and a call-out of Waldo-Cortes Acosta (who competes later tonight against Derrick Lewis).

    Josh Hokit Stops Denzel Freeman In Buzzer Beater First-Round Finish At UFC 324

    After scoring a first-round finish of Guilherme Uriel on Dana White’s Contender Series, Hokit had a successful UFC debut at UFC Vegas 111, needing just 56 seconds to put away Max Gimenis.

    Freeman, a former LFA heavyweight champion who has also fought in the PFL, made his UFC debut in November, scoring a decision over Marek Bujlo at UFC Qatar in November.

  • VIDEO: Ty Miller Puts Away Adam Fugitt At Buzzer To Score First Finish In UFC’s Paramount Era At UFC 324

    VIDEO: Ty Miller Puts Away Adam Fugitt At Buzzer To Score First Finish In UFC’s Paramount Era At UFC 324

    Trivia question: Who competed in the first fight of the UFC’s Paramount Era and scored its first finish at UFC 324? The answer: Ty Miller.

    Miller opened up the UFC 324 card with a bang by scoring a first-round finish of Adam Fugitt at the last second.

    Miller and Fugitt both brought the power during the near-five minutes they were in the Octagon, both clearly vying for the new $25,000 finish bonuses implemented by UFC CEO and President Dana White.

    Despite being busted open on his forehead during the round, Miller was able to land a couple of solid right hooks that stunned Fugitt. A follow-up flurry led to referee Chris Tognoni waving off the fight before the horn could sound.

    Ty Miller Earns Buzzer-Beater Finish Of Adam Fugitt At UFC 324

    Miller remains undefeated, with a no contest in LFA being the sole non-win in his career thus far. This marked Miller’s UFC debut after scoring a decision over Jimmy Drago on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Fugitt has now lost two straight and four of his last six.

  • Michael Johnson vs. Alex Perez Scrapped From UFC 324, Suspicious Bets Reported

    Michael Johnson vs. Alex Perez Scrapped From UFC 324, Suspicious Bets Reported

    The hits keep on coming to UFC 324 — the UFC’s debut event on Paramount — in the hours leading into the fights.

    Hours before they were set to duke it out on the preliminary card, the fight between Michael Johnson and Alex Perez was canceled.

    The UFC announced the news at about 2 pm ET on January 24 — three hours before UFC 324’s start.

    No reason was given by the promotion; however, those in the MMA betting space noted strange activity on the betting lines of this fight.

    Users across social media, including X (fka Twitter) and Reddit, noted a peculiar line change on DraftKings. On Jan. 22, Johnson was listed as a +135 underdog. After money “flooded in” on the 39-year-old, however, both fighters were listed in the sportsbook the next day as a -110 pick ’em play.

    Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez Off Of UFC 318; Suspicious Betting Activity Reported

    There has been some speculation that Hernandez may be dealing with a hand injury; however, that has not been confirmed by any parties as of press time.

    In November, the UFC came under heavy scrutiny after suspicious betting patterns were detected ahead of the Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier Del Valle fight at UFC Vegas 110. After Dulgarian was finished in the first round, Dulgarian was released by the UFC and investigations were launched.

    New York-based MMA promoter and writer Harry Mac made more claims of suspicious betting activity, while Ariel Helwani reported on his show that a number of fighters had been approached about the idea of throwing fights. A number of fighters (joking or not) released statements on social media claiming they had been approached in the past.

    The card will proceed on with 11 bouts. Cameron Smotherman was pulled from his UFC 324 matchup against Ricky Turcious yesterday after collapsing during the ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Johnson has won three straight and four of his last five. He was coming into this scheduled bout off a decision win over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 318.

    Hernandez has won four straight, most recently scoring a finish of Carlos Diego Ferreira at Noche UFC 3.

  • UFC 324 Results: Gaethje vs Pimblett Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC 324 Results: Gaethje vs Pimblett Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC 324 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This historic card marks the first UFC event streaming exclusively on Paramount+, headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Gaethje vs Pimblett: Interim Lightweight Title Fight

    Gaethje enters this fight with three wins in his last four. His wins in this stretch include knocking out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 for the BMF belt and, most recently, defeating Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.

    Gaethje is a former interim lightweight champion. He defeated Tony Ferguson for that title at UFC 249 in 2020 but fell short in his undisputed title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov later that year.

    This will be the first UFC championship opportunity for Pimblett, who has been a rising star for the promotion since his Octagon arrival in 2021. The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion has won performance bonuses in five of his seven UFC fights, and he’s a perfect 7-0 in the Octagon so far.

    Pimblett comes into this bout off his highlight finish of Michael Chandler at UFC 314.

    The co-main event will see the return of former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, as he takes on Song Yadong.

    O’Malley enters off consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He dropped the bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 and was submitted in the rematch at UFC 316. Yadong, meanwhile, has won three of his last four, including a win over Henry Cejudo last year at UFC Seattle.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 324!

    How to Watch UFC 324

    • Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
    • Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 324 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett — Gaethje def. Pimblett via unanimous decision
    • Co-Main: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong — O’Malley def. Yadong via unanimous decision
    • Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis — Cortes-Acosta def. Lewis via TKO (Rd. 2, 3:14)
    • Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas — Silva def. Namajunas via unanimous decision
    • Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva — Silva def. Allen via unanimous decision

    UFC 324 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5:30 PM ET)

    Welterweight: Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller

    Result: Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:59)

    Heavyweight: Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman

    Result: Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:59)

    Late Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Flyweight: Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson

    Result: Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:16)

    Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas

    Result: Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas via KO (Rd. 3, 4:57)

    Middleweight: Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev

    Result: Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Result: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Featherweight: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva

    Result: Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Women’s Flyweight: Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas

    Result: Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis

    Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (Rd. 2, 3:14)

    Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong

    Result: Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Interim Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett

    Result: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46 x2)

  • Cameron Smotherman Collapses at UFC 324 Weigh-In, Fight Cancelled

    Cameron Smotherman Collapses at UFC 324 Weigh-In, Fight Cancelled

    A scary scene unfolded at the UFC 324 weigh-ins on Friday when bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapsed face-first on stage moments after stepping off the scale.

    The 28-year-old successfully made weight at 135.5 pounds for his scheduled bout against Ricky Turcios. However, after taking just a few steps toward the exit, Smotherman fell to the floor and appeared to convulse before medical staff rushed to his aid.

    UFC personnel and his teammates carried Smotherman off stage, and he was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. His fight against Turcios has been cancelled, reducing the UFC 324 card to 12 bouts.

    Smotherman Provides Update

    Later on Friday, Smotherman posted a video to social media assuring fans he was doing well. According to his teammate Adrian Yanez, who spoke with Ariel Helwani, Smotherman’s CT scan and X-rays came back clear. He required stitches on his chin from the impact of the fall but is otherwise healthy.

    Interestingly, Smotherman disputed the notion that an extreme weight cut was to blame for the incident. He claimed he didn’t cut very much weight for this fight and came into fight week fairly close to the bantamweight limit. The fighter said he plans to undergo further testing to determine what caused the collapse.

    Smotherman entered UFC 324 looking to snap a two-fight losing streak, having dropped decisions to Serhiy Sidey and Ricky Simón in 2025 after winning his UFC debut against Jake Hadley in October 2024.

    Bisping’s Ill-Timed Commentary Goes Viral

    Adding an unfortunate layer to the incident was UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping’s commentary occurring at the exact same moment. While working the TNT Sports broadcast with his back to the stage, Bisping was discussing fighters who miss weight.

    “I never have any sympathy for these guys,” Bisping said just seconds before Smotherman collapsed behind him. “You’ve got one job: Show up, on weight, in shape. You’re a professional fighter. It’s not hard, is it?”

    The clip of Bisping’s comments coinciding with Smotherman’s collapse has since gone viral across social media.

    UFC 324 takes place tonight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.

  • Did Paddy Pimblett Cross the Line? Former UFC Champ Breaks It Down

    Did Paddy Pimblett Cross the Line? Former UFC Champ Breaks It Down

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has weighed in on the heated exchange between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker, suggesting the Liverpool fighter’s comments about Hooker’s mother were inappropriate but that the subsequent response went too far.​

    Michael Bisping Questions Whether Paddy Pimblett Crossed the Line With Dan Hooker Insults

    Pimblett sparked controversy during an interview with The MMA Guru when he criticized Hooker’s grappling abilities using a crude analogy involving Hooker’s mother.

    Bisping acknowledged the comment was out of bounds while offering context about regional humor. “You’ve got to remember he’s a lad from Liverpool where they do have a great sense of humor, but also it can be a little cutting, it can be a little bit dark, and he was speaking to another English guy,” Bisping said. “I’m not defending the fact that he brought up Dan Hooker’s mom – he should not have done that. But in the context it wasn’t that bad. He never said anything too bad. He was basically just talking about the grappling of Dan Hooker.”​

    Hooker responded on social media by referencing Pimblett’s friend Ricky, who died by suicide in 2022. The New Zealand fighter wrote “RIP Ricky” in a post that questioned whether Pimblett was a good friend. Bisping called the response understandable given the circumstances.

    “Dan came out with a response and said, ‘I thought we were mates. Obviously you’re not a very good mate, are you? #PaddyTheBaddy. RIP Ricky.’ And that is having a dig at one of his friends that ended his own life,” Bisping explained. “Paddy’s not happy with that and that is a disgusting comeback, it is. But given what Paddy said, it’s like the gloves are off. All’s fair in love and war.”​

    The former champion emphasized that bringing up mothers rarely ends well in combat sports. “Any time you bring up the mothers it never ends well,” Bisping said.

    “Men’s health and mental health is a huge issue – a tremendous amount of men pass away every year via suicide and it’s not a laughing matter – but as I say, Dan Hooker was offended, he was pissed off, very angry and emotional.”​

    UFC 324

    Bisping outlined potential matchmaking scenarios stemming from the feud. Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Hooker meets Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 325 in Sydney one week later.

    “If Paddy beats Gaethje he becomes the interim champion. After that, Dan Hooker’s off his radar – he will not get to fight Dan Hooker,” Bisping said. “But if Paddy loses – if he loses – I think we might see this fight happen pretty quickly.”​

    Regarding acceptable boundaries in trash talk, Bisping was clear about where lines should be drawn. “You don’t talk about families and you certainly don’t talk about mothers and you certainly don’t make fun of people that have passed away,” he said. “Leave all that off the table. Talk about them, their looks, their fights, the way they dress – whatever you want – just leave all that out of it.”​

    Despite the controversy, Bisping noted the exchange benefits Pimblett’s profile. “It does make it spicy, it does give people like me something to talk about and it certainly makes the matchmaking interesting,” he said. “Whether people love him or hate him, they’re all going to tune in to watch him.”

  • UFC 324 Card This Weekend: Full Fight Card, Where to Watch on Paramount

    UFC 324 Card This Weekend: Full Fight Card, Where to Watch on Paramount

    UFC 324 is the next UFC fight this weekend, streaming live on Saturday night, January 24, 2026, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This is the first UFC card of 2026 and marks the debut of the UFC on Paramount+, meaning fans can watch without paying traditional pay-per-view prices. The main event features Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title.

    Key Points

    • UFC Card This Weekend: UFC 324 streams Saturday, Jan 24 on Paramount+ — the first UFC fight of the new Paramount era
    • Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship
    • Where to Watch UFC 324: Paramount+ (included with subscription—no PPV cost). Main card starts 9 PM ET

    UFC 324 Where to Watch: Paramount+ Streaming Details

    UFC 324 is available to watch on Paramount+ in the United States as part of the UFC’s new $7.7 billion media rights deal. Unlike previous UFC pay-per-views that cost $79.99, this UFC fight card is included with your Paramount+ subscription at no additional cost. This makes UFC 324 the first numbered event since UFC 267 in 2021 to not air on traditional pay-per-view in the U.S.

    The UFC schedule for Saturday night features an earlier start time than fans are used to—the main card begins at 9 PM ET instead of the traditional 10 PM slot, so you’ll finish watching at a more reasonable hour.

    UFC 324 Full Fight Card

    FightWeight Class/Stipulation
    Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy PimblettInterim Lightweight Championship
    Sean O’Malley vs. Song YadongBantamweight Bout
    Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick LewisHeavyweight Bout
    Natalia Silva vs. Rose NamajunasWomen’s Flyweight Bout
    Jean Silva vs. Arnold AllenFeatherweight Bout

    UFC 324 Prelims Card

    FightWeight Class
    Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson FigueiredoBantamweight
    Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey PulyaevMiddleweight
    Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas BukauskasLight Heavyweight

    UFC 324 Early Prelims Card

    FightWeight Class
    Alex Perez vs. Charles JohnsonFlyweight
    Michael Johnson vs. Alexander HernandezLightweight
    Josh Hokit vs. Denzel FreemanHeavyweight
    Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron SmothermanBantamweight
    Ty Miller vs. Adam FugittWelterweight

    UFC 324 Fight Previews

    Paddy Pimblett Next Fight: vs. Justin Gaethje for Interim Lightweight Title

    Paddy Pimblett’s next fight is the biggest of his career—a five-round main event against Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight championship. The Liverpool native (23-3) enters on a nine-fight winning streak, including seven straight UFC victories. His most recent win came via submission over Michael Chandler at UFC 314.

    Pimblett has predicted an early finish, claiming the UFC fight won’t go past the third round. He plans to keep the fight standing initially before implementing his elite grappling, telling media he’s confident his unorthodox style will pose problems for the veteran.

    At 37 years old, Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje (26-5) is making what could be his final push for undisputed UFC gold. The former interim champion previously held the belt after defeating Tony Ferguson in 2020 but has fallen short in two undisputed title fights against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

    Gaethje remains one of the most violent fighters in UFC history, earning performance bonuses in 12 of his 14 Octagon appearances. He’s just $50,000 away from becoming the second UFC fighter to earn $1 million in post-fight bonuses. A win puts him directly in line to face undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has indicated a spring return.

    Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong – Bantamweight Bout

    Former bantamweight champion Sean “Suga” O’Malley (18-3) is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak after dropping back-to-back bouts to Merab Dvalishvili. Despite the setbacks, O’Malley remains one of MMA’s biggest draws and holds a controversial split decision victory over current bantamweight champion Petr Yan.

    Song Yadong (22-8) has quietly climbed the rankings with a 3-1 record in his last four UFC fights. The Chinese power puncher defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in February 2025 and sees this as his opportunity to break into title contention. A win over a former champion on this UFC card could be career-defining.

    Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – Bantamweight Bout

    This prelim headliner is a potential title eliminator. Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1), the #1 ranked bantamweight, bounced back from his first career loss with a dominant victory over Mario Bautista in October. Former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1) has revitalized his career at 135 pounds and is making one more push for championship gold at age 37.

    Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis – Heavyweight Bout

    Undefeated Dominican heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta (10-0) brings back-to-back first-round finishes into this clash against knockout legend Derrick Lewis (28-12). Lewis blitzed Tallison Teixeira in just 35 seconds last July. This heavyweight collision could end in a flash.

    Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas – Women’s Flyweight Bout

    Natalia Silva (17-5) enters with a perfect 7-0 UFC record and a seven-fight winning streak, putting her on the doorstep of flyweight title contention. Former two-time strawweight champion Rose “Thug Rose” Namajunas (12-6) has won three of her last four fights since moving to 125 pounds.

    UFC 324 Card Changes

    The UFC 324 card was originally scheduled to feature a women’s bantamweight championship co-main event between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes—which would have marked Nunes’ return from retirement. However, Harrison withdrew after being diagnosed with herniated discs in her neck requiring surgery. The fight is expected to be rescheduled.

    When Is the Next UFC Fight? UFC Schedule Jan 24

    UFC 324 is the next UFC fight, taking place this Saturday night on January 24, 2026. Here’s the complete UFC schedule for this weekend:

    • Early Prelims: Saturday, Jan 24 at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT (Paramount+)
    • Prelims: Saturday, Jan 24 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT (Paramount+)
    • Main Card: Saturday, Jan 24 at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT (Paramount+)

    How to Watch UFC 324 on Paramount

    • Date/Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Main Card at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT
    • Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming (U.S.): Paramount+ (included with subscription—no additional PPV cost)
    • Streaming (UK): TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99)
    • Streaming (International): Paramount+ in Latin America and Australia; availability varies by region

    This is the first UFC fight under the new Paramount UFC deal, which runs for seven years and is valued at $7.7 billion. All UFC events, including numbered cards, are now included with a Paramount+ subscription in the United States.

    Don’t Miss MMA News Coverage

    Stay tuned to MMANews.com for complete UFC 324 coverage: live results, fight recaps, post-fight analysis, and all the latest UFC 2026 news from Las Vegas throughout fight week.

  • Justin Gaethje’s Final Mission: ‘The End Is Near’ But He’s Chasing History at UFC 324

    Justin Gaethje’s Final Mission: ‘The End Is Near’ But He’s Chasing History at UFC 324

    Justin Gaethje admits what many fighters refuse to acknowledge—his career is in its twilight phase. But the 37-year-old isn’t ready to walk away. Instead, he’s chasing what he believes could be the most inspirational championship run in UFC history.

    Speaking with TNT Fight Sports ahead of his interim lightweight title clash against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 on January 24, Gaethje showed rare vulnerability about where he stands while simultaneously expressing unwavering hunger for one more title run.

    “I’m 37 years old. There’s no, you know, I’d be a fool to think that we’re just getting started here. The end is near,” Gaethje admitted.

    Despite acknowledging father time, “The Highlight” made clear his competitive fire hasn’t diminished. When asked whether he still has hunger for the interim title, Gaethje described fighting as an addiction he simply cannot escape.

    “Every single one of these is a traumatic life experience. There’s no matching the high or the low of winning or losing this sport. It kind of ruined other parts of life, but no, I am so hungry. I’ve never felt more alive than when I feel it. I will miss it when it’s gone,” Gaethje explained.

    All-or-Nothing Philosophy

    Gaethje has a signature phrase that captures his fighting philosophy better than any pre-fight hype. Asked if he’s already thinking about a potential Ilia Topuria fight after Pimblett, his answer was vintage Gaethje.

    “I’ve said it before. I don’t ever plan on being alive after the fight. So, if that’s how it ends, that’s how it ends,” Gaethje said.

    The former BMF champion enters every bout with total commitment, refusing to look past opponents or plan for what comes next. His complete focus remains on the task at hand, but he’s well aware that Topuria has been publicly offering advice to Pimblett, suggesting the champion would rather face the Liverpool star than “The Highlight.”

    “Yeah. I’m gonna Khabib and Ferguson this thing,” Gaethje said, referencing one of MMA’s most infamous cursed matchups—a fight scheduled and cancelled five times before Gaethje stepped in to replace Ferguson at UFC 249.

    Chasing the Most Inspirational Run in UFC History

    Gaethje believes a championship run at 37 years old would cement his legacy as one of the most inspirational stories in UFC history. He outlined his dream scenario with characteristic passion.

    “I just love the challenge. I love the opportunity to inspire people. If I can go out there, beat Paddy, beat Ilia, it’ll be the most inspirational thing that I think this sport has ever seen. I’m trying to do that for countless people. That’s my goal,” Gaethje said.

    His resume speaks for itself—he’s headlined nine or ten UFC events and fought top-five opponents in nearly every Octagon appearance. Now headlining the first numbered card on Paramount+, he sees an opportunity to cap his career with the ultimate achievement.

    “There’s a reason I’m still here is because I’m one of the best in the world. If they could have got rid of me, they would have got rid of me. But I continue to prove I’m one of the best,” Gaethje said.

    Looking beyond Pimblett, Gaethje revealed his ultimate dream matchup. He’s hoping Max Holloway defeats Charles Oliveira in their BMF title fight, setting up an incredible opportunity.

    “I hope Max wins. I hope he goes up and then I can fight Max on the White House card and take the BMF belt and the championship,” Gaethje said.

    When asked what fight he’d most like to see happen in 2026, Gaethje didn’t hesitate.

    “I would say myself versus Ilia Topuria on the White House card,” Gaethje concluded.

    Gaethje has twice fallen short in undisputed title fights, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira by submission. A win over Pimblett would position him for one final championship run against Topuria—and potentially the historic ending his career deserves.

  • Kate Scott Joins UFC 324 Broadcast Team

    Kate Scott Joins UFC 324 Broadcast Team

    CBS Sports veteran Kate Scott has been added to the UFC 324 broadcast team as the on-site desk host for the promotion’s first event under its new Paramount+ media deal.

    Scott will anchor studio coverage from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 24, hosting pre-fight, intermission, and post-fight segments alongside analysts Michael Bisping, Dominick Cruz, and Chris Weidman. The broadcast will also feature Joe Rogan, Jon Anik, and Daniel Cormier on commentary.

    MMA journalist Ariel Helwani praised the hiring on social media, calling it an “unbelievable coup for the UFC.”

    “She is one of the absolute best, most professional talented hosts/broadcasters I’ve ever worked with. Fight fan. She instantly raises the profile of the events, IMO. Massive,” Helwani wrote.

    Scott brings extensive sports broadcasting experience to the UFC, having hosted major UEFA club competitions and global football events for CBS, along with previous work for CNN, Sky, and Fox.

    UFC 324 is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, with Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong also featured on the card. The event marks the UFC’s transition to Paramount+ streaming rather than traditional pay-per-view in the United States.

  • Paddy Pimblett Predicts Early Finish of Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

    Paddy Pimblett Predicts Early Finish of Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

    Paddy Pimblett is confident he will stop Justin Gaethje inside three rounds when the two meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24.

    Speaking with TNT Sports ahead of the bout, Pimblett revealed his game plan involves standing and trading with one of the most dangerous strikers in the division. Despite Gaethje’s reputation for devastating power, “The Baddy” isn’t planning to rely solely on his grappling credentials.

    “I’ll keep it on the feet with him,” Pimblett said. “There’s the blueprint there to beat him. Max done it.”

    Pimblett pointed to his performance against Michael Chandler as evidence that his striking has been underestimated. The Liverpool native believes he can outwork Gaethje on the feet while implementing a strategic approach that leads to an early stoppage.

    “Everyone underestimates my strike and everyone thinks I’m just going to come in and I’m going to take him down,” Pimblett explained. “I had an absolute war with Chandler and I pieced Chandler up. You’ll see come January 24th when we have a perfect game plan and we finish him within three.”

    The 30-year-old also addressed concerns about Gaethje’s ability to defend takedowns, suggesting his unorthodox style will pose problems regardless of where the fight takes place.

    “I don’t wrestle like a normal person. I do everything differently. I’m not normal,” Pimblett said. “He’s not going to be able to get a sparring partner in what grapples like me or strikes like me because I’m a weirdo. I’m very awkward. You can’t really get a sparring partner in to do me because I’m so awkward.”

    Despite the confidence, Pimblett remains a fan of Gaethje and expressed genuine respect for the former interim champion’s legacy in the sport.

    “I am a Justin Gaethje fan. Not was, I am,” Pimblett said. “Anyone who is an MMA fan and isn’t a Justin Gaethje fan isn’t an MMA fan. He’s your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. The fact that I’m now getting in there against him is what dreams are made of.”

  • Kayla Harrison Withdraws from UFC 324 Title Defense Against Amanda Nunes

    Kayla Harrison Withdraws from UFC 324 Title Defense Against Amanda Nunes

    Kayla Harrison has been forced to withdraw from her highly anticipated title defense against Amanda Nunes, originally scheduled for next week’s UFC 324 event in Las Vegas.

    According to a report from The Eagle Tribune, Harrison underwent surgery this week to repair herniated discs in her neck. The injury reportedly made it impossible for the reigning champion to continue her fight camp or compete as planned.

    The UFC has not yet issued an official statement regarding Harrison’s withdrawal or offered details on whether the fight with Nunes will be rescheduled for a later date.

    UFC 324 was set to mark one of the promotion’s most anticipated matchups of the year, pitting two Olympic-level competitors against each other in a blockbuster main event. With Harrison sidelined, it remains unclear if the organization will look to find a replacement opponent for Nunes or postpone the bout entirely.

    More details are expected to follow as the UFC finalizes its updated plans for the Las Vegas card.

  • Amanda Nunes Recalls Dominating Kayla Harrison in Sparring Sessions

    Amanda Nunes Recalls Dominating Kayla Harrison in Sparring Sessions

    Amanda Nunes has recalled the early sparring sessions with Kayla Harrison at American Top Team, revealing that her technical precision dominated those training encounters.

    Speaking on the Paramount UFC Crew ahead of their UFC 324 title fight on January 24, Nunes discussed her striking philosophy and how it played out against the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

    “I’m very precise with my punches, my kicks. I know the right time and everything. So yeah, probably was a bad day for her or I don’t know,” Nunes said when asked about their gym sessions.

    Nunes credited her mother for instilling the striking fundamentals that have made her one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC history.

    “My mother was a big thing in my whole life and then she’s like taught me so many things and she was in my uncle’s corner when my uncle used to fight. So she like taught me a bunch of things. She these days like tell me some strategy, some things and it’s pretty cool,” Nunes explained.

    Despite the apparent dominance in training, Nunes acknowledged Harrison as a legitimate threat and predicted she would eventually reach the UFC.

    “I knew right away when she started calling me out and then talk about I knew because it’s not a lot of people out there, you know, she’s an athlete, she’s a good fighter, you know, and it’s not a lot of people that can keep it up with her. I knew she would make her way to the UFC,” Nunes said.

    The bantamweight champion Harrison will defend her title against the returning Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 324.

  • Amanda Nunes Details Her UFC Comeback: Destiny, Betrayal, Chasing History

    Amanda Nunes Details Her UFC Comeback: Destiny, Betrayal, Chasing History

    Amanda Nunes has revealed the full story behind her return to the UFC, detailing how she struggled to stay retired, the gym split that turned former coaches into opponents, and her drive to make history as a three-time champion.

    Speaking on the Paramount UFC Crew ahead of her bantamweight title fight against Kayla Harrison at UFC 324 on January 24, Nunes opened up about the internal battle she faced during her brief retirement.

    “One year passed by and I was kind of like looking at Nina around the house and say like, ‘Nina, I can’t stay away though. I can’t I’m trying so hard in one year,’” Nunes admitted about conversations with her wife Nina Ansaroff.

    The timing of Harrison signing with the UFC aligned perfectly with Nunes’ growing desire to compete again. The Brazilian legend felt it was destiny bringing them together for this showdown.

    “When that thought started like be more strong and Kayla signed with the UFC they say like this is just meant to be you know so everything’s coming together,” Nunes explained.

    Nunes also expressed concern about the state of the bantamweight division during her absence, feeling obligated to return and restore its prestige.

    “I always like nobody’s going to do anything with my division so I got to go in there and then you know what I mean make this great again. Then Kayla sign like even better though so make everything perfect.”

    The American Top Team Split

    The comeback has also been fueled by an awkward situation that developed at American Top Team, where Harrison called her out while still training at the same gym.

    “If you calling me out, if you want to fight me, you’re not supposed to be here training with my coach in the same mat in the same gym,” Nunes stated. “If I’m gonna face you, you’re gonna be out of here.”

    The tension began when Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, joined ATT and initially sought to be Nunes’ training partner. However, once Harrison started publicly calling out the former champion, Nunes felt the dynamic crossed a line.

    “When she started really talk about me, calling me out and at the same time is being the gym and try to be my training partner. I started get like a little bit even more photo from her because this is the challenge that I like,” Nunes revealed.

    The situation has evolved further, with Nunes now facing her former coaches who have aligned with Harrison. Rather than viewing this as a disadvantage, Nunes embraces the adversity.

    “The attachment that I used to have with the gym, with the coach, people that’s always around me is doesn’t have anymore. They all is against me. So I look at them as my opponent too. I like to feel the challenge that this bring to me,” she said.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Kayla Harrison (@kaylaharrisonofficial)

    Targeting History

    Beyond the personal stakes, Nunes is motivated by adding an unprecedented chapter to her legacy. The former two-division champion revealed that her trophy wall at home drives her forward.

    “When I see the wall in my house, I just make like a very special wall for everything that I all my trophies and everything that I got in my whole career,” Nunes said.

    “And then when I wake up and it looks that that wall for me is enough. Now it’s going to be even more like something more that people never see before. I’m gonna become a champ again. So this is going to be in the history like in the top in the history.”

    A victory over Harrison would make Nunes only the second fighter in UFC history to win a title three separate times, joining Randy Couture in that exclusive club. The Brazilian legend dominated women’s MMA during her initial run, holding championships in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions simultaneously.

    Nunes acknowledged that she wants more recognition in overall GOAT conversations that typically focus on male fighters like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva. However, she maintains that external validation is not her primary motivation.

    “It doesn’t bother me honestly because this is what I like to do. I like fight. I do this for myself because I love this sport,” Nunes explained.

    UFC 324 marks the first major card of the Paramount Plus era, with Nunes vs. Harrison serving as the co-main event behind Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title.

  • Kayla Harrison’s Real Goal for UFC 324: Inspiring ‘Thousands of Little Girls’

    Kayla Harrison’s Real Goal for UFC 324: Inspiring ‘Thousands of Little Girls’

    UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has revealed her ultimate goal heading into the biggest fight of her career isn’t personal glory—it’s inspiring thousands of young girls to pursue martial arts.

    Speaking with Daniel Cormier on the Paramount UFC Crew ahead of her UFC 324 title defense against Amanda Nunes on January 24, Harrison outlined a vision for her legacy that extends far beyond her own accomplishments.

    “On January 24th, Amanda and I are going to have a ridiculous amount of new eyes on the sport and we’re having potentially the greatest fight in women’s MMA history,” Harrison said. “The goal is for thousands of little girls to watch that and I become the greatest and maybe I’m the greatest for a day, maybe I’m the greatest for a week.”

    How Kayla Harrison Will Define Success

    The two-time Olympic gold medalist emphasized that her true measure of success lies in what comes after her fighting career concludes.

    “There are thousands of little girls who watch that and they start doing judo and they start doing wrestling and they start doing Muay Thai and then they grow up,” Harrison continued. “Not only do they stand on my shoulders, they just surpass everything I could have ever imagined for myself. They’re not a two-time Olympic champion, they’re a three-time Olympic champion. They’re a 10 time MMA world champ.”

    Harrison acknowledged she doesn’t fit the typical mold of a combat sports superstar but has embraced her authentic identity.

    “I’m not like the flashiest. I’m not like a knockout artist. I’m not the craziest on the mic, but I’m unapologetically myself.”

    The Ohio native summarized her philosophy with a simple but powerful statement about her purpose.

    “The goal is never for me to be the greatest of all time for all time,” Harrison explained. “That’s the goal is to leave this world better than I found it. In my little pocket of it.”

    Harrison’s perspective has been shaped by her own journey through adversity. Having been on the mat since age six and doing two-a-day training sessions since age 12, she understands the power of having role models to look up to.

    “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift,” Harrison said. “I just want to go out here every day and squeeze as much life out of the day as I can every day.”

  • Kayla Harrison Reveals Humbling Sparring Session with Amanda Nunes

    Kayla Harrison Reveals Humbling Sparring Session with Amanda Nunes

    UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has revealed the exact moment she knew Amanda Nunes was the fighter to measure herself against, recalling a humbling sparring session during her second day at American Top Team.

    Speaking with Daniel Cormier on the Paramount UFC Crew ahead of their historic showdown at UFC 324 on January 24, Harrison opened up about her first encounter with the woman widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time.

    “I trained at a bunch of different gyms. I went to American Top Team. I sparred Amanda my second day there. I had never had a fight before,” Harrison recalled.

    “And I was like, ‘Oh like I got to move here. This girl.’ Like I had never been bested like that. With a woman, you know? Like sure, maybe guys like get the better of me, but like I was like, ‘Oh, no. This is the place to be.’”

    Training With Amanda Nunes Not What Kayla Harrison Expected

    The two-time Olympic gold medalist explained that she immediately recognized the level Nunes operated at and committed to training alongside her. However, Harrison admitted the training relationship she envisioned never quite materialized.

    “Not as much as I had pictured if I’m being honest,” Harrison said of their gym dynamic. “There wasn’t the training bond that I had pictured in my head. And I think that that’s just different in MMA than it is in Judo. In Judo you have kind of a training partner. I wanted to be that for Amanda.”

    Harrison referenced the traditional Japanese concept of kohai-senpai, explaining she had been ready to adopt a respectful subordinate role. “I was ready to come in and be her kohai. Where do you need me? Where do you want me? But it’s I don’t think it’s quite the same in MMA.”

    Despite the gym dynamic not developing as hoped, Harrison said her admiration for Nunes has never wavered.

    “It was never like I wanted to challenge her or defeat her in a ‘I’m going to prove I’m better than you,’” she explained. “It was just like a place of honor in my mind. You’re the greatest. I want to someday be what you are.”

    Now, eight years after that first sparring session, Harrison finally gets her chance to test herself against the woman who inspired her MMA journey.

    “This has been eight years in the making. I think that it’s a testament to my coaches, to my training, my work ethic,” Harrison said. “People would be surprised where you can get with a little bit of stubbornness and determination.”

  • Paramount+ Price Increase Hits January 15 Before UFC 324 Debut

    Paramount+ subscribers will see higher prices starting January 15, just nine days before UFC 324 marks the promotion’s debut on the streaming platform.

    The Essential ad-supported plan increases from $7.99 to $8.99 per month, while the Premium ad-free tier rises from $12.99 to $13.99 monthly. Annual subscriptions see steeper hikes, with Essential jumping from $59.99 to $89.99 per year and Premium increasing from $119.99 to $139.99 annually. Paramount is also retiring free trials effective with the price change.

    The timing places the increase just ahead of UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event represents the first numbered UFC card under Paramount’s seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with TKO and the first without a traditional pay-per-view paywall in the United States since UFC 267 in 2021.

    UFC 324 and the Paramount+ Era

    UFC on Paramount+

    UFC 324 features Justin Gaethje facing Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship in the main event, with Kayla Harrison defending her bantamweight title against returning Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes in the co-main.

    For UFC fans, the value proposition shifts significantly under the new model. All 13 annual numbered events plus 30 Fight Night cards are included with a standard Paramount+ subscription at no additional cost. Under the previous ESPN arrangement, individual PPV events cost approximately $80 each.

    Paramount announced the increases during its Q3 2025 earnings call, citing continued investment in content and the UFC partnership as driving factors. The streamer reported 79.1 million subscribers as of September 2025.