Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight? Live Update
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It is currently Sunday night, January 25, 2026. The MMA world is still buzzing from UFC 324, which took place last night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The event, which officially kicked off the Paramount+ era for the UFC, was headlined by an absolute “instant classic” for the interim lightweight title.
UFC 324: Main Card Results
Fight Winner Method Round/Time Lightweight (Interim Title) Justin Gaethje Def. Paddy Pimblett via Unanimous Decision R5 (5:00) Bantamweight Sean O’Malley Def. Song Yadong via Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00) Heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta Def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (Punches) R2 (3:14) Flyweight Natalia Silva Def. Rose Namajunas via Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00) Featherweight Jean Silva Def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00)
Event Highlights & News
- Gaethje’s Resurgence: Justin Gaethje is once again the Interim Lightweight Champion. Despite Paddy Pimblett being the betting favorite (-180), Gaethje’s leg kicks and championship experience proved too much. The win sets up a massive unification bout against undisputed champ Ilia Topuria (projected for Summer 2026).
- The “Bonus” Surprise: Dana White doubled the standard bonuses to $100,000 for this card. Gaethje vs. Pimblett took home Fight of the Night, while Sean O’Malley and Arnold Allen (despite his loss in a technical war) were among those mentioned for performance honors.
- Paddy’s “January Strike”: In his post-fight interview, a battered but gracious Paddy Pimblett confirmed he spent nearly $150,000 to fly his friends and family to the fight. He reiterated that he will not fight in January again, as training over Christmas was “soul-destroying.”
- Hall of Fame: During the broadcast, it was announced that former Bantamweight King Dominick Cruz will be the first inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
- Co-Main Statement: Sean O’Malley looked sharp in his return, likely securing a spot on the rumored “White House Card” on June 14, where Conor McGregor is also expected to return.
Scorecard Breakdown: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
The judges saw a very close fight that turned in the later rounds:
- Judge 1 (Mike Bell): 48–47 Gaethje (Pimblett won R1 & R2)
- Judge 2 (Derek Cleary): 49–46 Gaethje (Pimblett won R1)
- Judge 3 (Sal D’Amato): 49–46 Gaethje (Pimblett won R1)
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Following Justin Gaethje’s victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, oddsmakers have wasted no time in releasing early lines for the massive unification bout against the undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria.
Early Betting Odds: Gaethje vs. Topuria
Because Topuria is currently on an undefeated tear and recently added a lightweight title defense to his resume, he opens as a significant betting favorite over the newly crowned interim champion.
Outcome Odds (Opening) Probability Ilia Topuria (Winner) -400 ~80% Justin Gaethje (Winner) +330 ~23% - Topuria as the Favorite: Despite Gaethje’s veteran status, Topuria’s clinical power and grappling defense have made him a “lock” in the eyes of many Vegas bookies.
- Gaethje as the Underdog: This is familiar territory for “The Highlight,” who just upset the odds as an underdog (+198) against Paddy Pimblett last night.
Keys to the Fight (Early Preview)
Analysts are already breaking down how this clash of styles will play out, likely in Summer 2026.
- The “Power” Question: Topuria’s boxing is widely considered the best in the UFC right now, but he has never faced the sheer, chaotic power of Gaethje’s leg kicks.
- The Wrestling Factor: Gaethje showed improved takedown defense against Pimblett, but Topuria’s Greco-Roman background is a different level of threat.
- Durability: Both men have high-output styles. The “coin flip” will be whether Gaethje can drag Topuria into the late-round “deep water” where Topuria has rarely been tested.
Upcoming Milestones
- Rankings Update: Expect the official UFC rankings on Tuesday, January 27, to reflect Gaethje’s new status as the #1 contender/Interim Champ.
- The Unification Venue: Rumors are swirling that this fight will headline a historic show at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid or a high-profile Madison Square Garden card.
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As the UFC wraps up its first big weekend of 2026, the focus has shifted from the cage in Las Vegas to a historic, albeit controversial, rumored event in Washington, D.C.
The “White House Card” (June 14, 2026)
Rumors have intensified regarding a special UFC event to be held on the South Lawn of the White House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States (America250).
- The McGregor Factor: Conor McGregor has been very vocal on social media, claiming he is “warming up” for the White House fight. However, Dana White recently shut the door on the long-awaited Michael Chandler matchup, stating it’s no longer on the table.
- New Potential Opponents: With Chandler out, rumors have shifted toward a possible “BMF-style” clash between Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal has hinted that discussions are happening, though nothing is official.
- The “Contract Void” Drama: McGregor claims his current contract is essentially void because the UFC moved away from the Pay-Per-View model in its new $7.7 billion Paramount+ deal. He expects a massive renegotiation in February.
- The Atmosphere: Dana White has described the proposed event as a “spectacle on steroids” and the “most exclusive event in sports history.”
UFC Lightweight Rankings: The Top 5 (Projected)
With Justin Gaethje holding the Interim belt, the division is more bottlenecked than ever.
Rank Fighter Notes C Ilia Topuria Undisputed Champ; expected back in June/July. IC Justin Gaethje Interim Champ. Next in line for unification. 1 Arman Tsarukyan The “forgotten” contender; has been waiting for his shot. 2 Charles Oliveira Remains the most dangerous veteran in the top 5. 3 Max Holloway Expected to move back to 145 or take a “Legacy” 155 fight. 4 Dustin Poirier Considering retirement but open to a “last dance” vs. Paddy. 5 Paddy Pimblett Solidified his spot in the elite after taking Gaethje to a decision.
The “America250” Sports Meeting
In a related update, President Trump recently met with commissioners from the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL in the Oval Office. The goal is to coordinate a massive “Patriot Games” series of events throughout 2026, of which the UFC White House card would be a centerpiece.
While many fans are excited, the “optics of leagues getting too cozy with federal policy” has sparked debate within the broader sports community.