The UFC returns on January 24 with a stacked main card that mixes title fights, star names and high-stakes contender matchups. From an interim lightweight championship bout to Amanda Nunes stepping back into the Octagon, UFC 324 delivers one of the strongest line-ups of the year.

Analysis of UFC 324 Main Card

Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett headlines the show for the interim lightweight title. With the undisputed champion unavailable, the UFC has placed gold on the line, and both men enter with very different motivations. Gaethje brings his trademark violence and experience at the elite level, while Pimblett arrives with momentum, popularity and the chance to shock the division by claiming his first piece of UFC gold.

In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison defends the women’s bantamweight championship against Amanda Nunes, who makes her return after stepping away from the sport. This matchup represents a generational clash: Harrison, the physically dominant champion still building her legacy, facing the most accomplished female fighter in MMA history. A win for either woman dramatically shifts the storytelling at 135 pounds.

Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong serves as a key bantamweight fight. O’Malley’s sharp precision striking is tested against Yadong’s power and pressure. With the bantamweight title picture constantly rotating, the winner moves closer to contention. Arnold Allen vs Gabriel Silva brings an important fight for the featherweight division, with Allen looking to re-establish himself as a top contender against the always dangerous Silva.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo is one of the most compelling matchups on the card. Umar’s unbeaten résumé and elite grappling face the former flyweight champion, who continues to prove he is dangerous in multiple divisions. This fight will reveal whether Umar is ready for the very top of bantamweight competition.

SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment

The main card opener features Waldo Cortes-Acosta against Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight bout. Lewis remains one of the sport’s most explosive finishers, and Cortes-Acosta steps into the biggest opportunity of his career, knowing a win over Lewis puts him on the map instantly.

UFC 324 is built for impact: titles on the line, legends returning and contenders battling for relevance. It is a card designed to start the year with a statement and deliver something for every type of fight fan.

READ MORE: Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov Rekindle Their Feud After Explosive Twitter Exchange

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