Tonight, Paddy Pimblett fights for UFC gold for the first time, as the Liverpudlian takes on Justin Gaethje in Las Vegas. But as “Paddy The Baddy” and Gaethje clash at UFC 324, there is more on the line than just the interim lightweight title.
The winner of tonight’s main event should be next for regular champion Ilia Topuria, Pimblett’s bitter rival, who is currently taking a break from MMA for personal reasons. Pimblett could therefore set up one of the biggest fights in the sport, or Gaethje could become a two-time interim champ, after the American held that version of the belt in 2020.
While Gaethje, 37, has twice failed to win the undisputed title and is in the last-chance saloon this year, Pimblett, 31, is a newcomer to lights as bright as these. Yet he has continued to defy his doubters in staying unbeaten in the UFC, and he saw off a former MMA champion last time out by stopping Michael Chandler.
Tonight’s co-main event was due to see all-time great Amanda Nunes emerge from retirement to challenge an old teammate, bantamweight queen Kayla Harrison, but the latter sustained an injury last week. As such, Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong was pushed up the card, with an allegation of racism feeding into their fight.
Follow live updates and results from UFC 324, from the prelims to the main event, below.
How to watch UFC 324 in UK and US
In the UK, tonight’s event will air live on TNT Sports Box Office, at a cost of £19.99, and is also accessible via Discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports.
In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action live. In fact, UFC 324 is the MMA promotion’s first event to air on Paramount+, as part of a new deal.
What time does UFC 324 start tonight?
UFC 324 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas tonight.
The early prelims will begin at 10pm GMT (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), followed by the regular prelims at 12am GMT on Sunday (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET on Saturday).
The main card then starts at 2am GMT on Sunday (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET on Saturday).
