When Is the First UFC Event of 2026? Who Is Headlining the Card
The UFC will open its 2026 calendar with a major pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, as the promotion looks to start the new year with momentum and star power. The first UFC event of 2026 is UFC 324, which is scheduled to take place on January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena.
The event is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. With the undisputed lightweight champion currently unable to defend the belt, the UFC has opted to introduce an interim title, giving this main event immediate importance. Gaethje enters as one of the division’s most established contenders, while Pimblett steps into the biggest fight of his UFC career so far.
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Confirmed fights listed for UFC 324
Alongside the main event, Tapology currently lists several other notable matchups for UFC 324, giving the card added depth as the first event of the year.
The co-main event is set to see Kayla Harrison defend the UFC women’s bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes. Nunes’ return from retirement to challenge Harrison makes this one of the most significant women’s fights the UFC has booked in recent years.
Elsewhere on the main card, Sean O’Malley is scheduled to face Song Yadong in a bantamweight bout that could have title implications later in the year. The heavyweight division is also represented, with Derrick Lewis set to take on Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
At featherweight, Arnold Allen is listed to compete against Jean Silva, while the card also includes a bantamweight clash between Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo.
With multiple title fights and several high-profile names already attached, UFC 324 is shaping up to be a strong opening statement for the promotion in 2026. More bouts are expected to be added as fight week approaches, but the foundation of the card already signals that the UFC is aiming to start the year with impact rather than ease into it.
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