Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight? Live Update
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Fighter Comparison
Feature Paddy Pimblett Justin Gaethje Rank #5 Lightweight #4 Lightweight Record 23-3-0 26-5-0 Fighting Style Grappling / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Aggressive Striking / NCAA Wrestling Nickname “The Baddy” “The Highlight” -
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Paddy Pimblett is facing Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje. This is a massive step up in competition for Pimblett, as Gaethje is a former interim champion and the former BMF titleholder.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
What is at stake in this fight?
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@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
What is at stake in this fight?
@dhoni4455 said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
What is at stake in this fight?
The two are fighting for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. The interim title was created because the undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria, is currently sidelined due to personal issues.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Where can I watch the fight?
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@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Where can I watch the fight?
@Rawaf-karim said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Where can I watch the fight?
In a new broadcasting era for the promotion, UFC 324 is airing live on Paramount+ (the main card starts at 9:00 PM ET).
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Did Paddy Pimblett make weight?
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@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Did Paddy Pimblett make weight?
@David said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Did Paddy Pimblett make weight?
Yes. Despite his well-known “foodie” lifestyle between camps, Pimblett successfully weighed in at 154 lbs on Friday. However, the weigh-ins were overshadowed by bantamweight Cameron Smotherman, who collapsed on stage after hitting his mark, leading to his fight being canceled.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Fighter Comparison
Feature Paddy Pimblett Justin Gaethje Rank #5 Lightweight #4 Lightweight Record 23-3-0 26-5-0 Fighting Style Grappling / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Aggressive Striking / NCAA Wrestling Nickname “The Baddy” “The Highlight” -
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
In a significant turn for the lightweight division, the main event of UFC 324 has just concluded at the T-Mobile Arena.
The Result: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett to become the new Interim UFC Lightweight Champion.
While the fight was highly competitive and lived up to the “coin flip” predictions from analysts like Max Holloway, Gaethje’s experience and signature power proved to be the difference. Despite Pimblett’s aggressive grappling attempts and success at range in the early rounds, Gaethje managed to land the more damaging shots throughout the contest.
UFC 324 Main Card Results
Bout Winner Method Lightweight (Interim Title) Justin Gaethje Def. Paddy Pimblett Bantamweight Sean O’Malley Def. Song Yadong Heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta Def. Derrick Lewis Flyweight Natalia Silva Def. Rose Namajunas Featherweight Arnold Allen Def. Jean Silva
Post-Fight Notes
- Pimblett’s Future: After the fight, a gracious but disappointed Pimblett reiterated his stance that he will not fight in January or February again, citing the difficulty of the camp over the holiday season. However, he proved he belongs at the elite level by taking one of the world’s most dangerous strikers to the limit.
- The Title Picture: Justin Gaethje is now expected to face the undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria, in a massive unification bout later in 2026 once Topuria returns from his personal hiatus.
- Health Update: Following the scary weigh-in incident on Friday, Cameron Smotherman (whose fight was canceled) released a statement confirming he is “completely OK” and that his collapse was not due to a “crazy weight cut,” though he will undergo more tests.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
UFC 324 was a night of high stakes and high payouts. While the official scorecards showed just how close the main event was, the real story of the night was Dana White’s last-minute decision to double the performance bonuses.
The Scorecards: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
The judges saw a tight technical battle where Gaethje’s volume and “leg-kick meta” eventually overcame Pimblett’s range and submission attempts.
Judge Score Breakdown Judge A 48–47 Gaethje Rounds 1 & 2 for Pimblett; 3, 4, 5 for Gaethje Judge B 49–46 Gaethje Round 1 for Pimblett; 2, 3, 4, 5 for Gaethje Judge C 48–47 Gaethje Rounds 1 & 3 for Pimblett; 2, 4, 5 for Gaethje Decision: Justin Gaethje wins via Unanimous Decision.
UFC 324 Post-Fight Bonuses
Following a challenge from Jean Silva and Derrick Lewis during the press conference, Dana White officially doubled the bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000 for this event.
- Fight of the Night ($100k each): Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett. * The back-and-forth war for the interim title was the clear standout of the evening.
- Performance of the Night ($100k): Sean O’Malley. * Earned for his clinical striking display and dominant victory over Song Yadong.
- Performance of the Night ($100k): Arnold Allen. * Awarded for his gritty performance in the featherweight clash against Jean Silva.
- Special “Finish Bonus”: Under the new 2026 payout structure, Waldo Cortes-Acosta received an additional kicker for his TKO of Derrick Lewis.
Inside the Octagon: The Turning Point
Pimblett actually controlled the pace in the first two rounds, using his 73-inch reach to frustrate Gaethje. However, the momentum shifted in the championship rounds:
- The Leg Kicks: Gaethje landed 34 significant leg kicks, visibly slowing Pimblett’s lateral movement by Round 4.
- The Pressure: Gaethje stopped “waiting” and began forcing Pimblett into the pocket, where his power advantage was undeniable.
- The Grappling Defense: Paddy attempted three submissions (including a signature triangle choke), but Gaethje’s NCAA wrestling pedigree allowed him to scramble back to his feet every time.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Dana White took to the podium following the conclusion of UFC 324, and the energy was electric. Between the “new era” of the Paramount+ partnership and the crowning of a new interim champ, there was plenty for him to discuss.
The Unification: Gaethje vs. Topuria
Dana White confirmed that Justin Gaethje’s next walk to the Octagon will be to unify the belts against undisputed champion Ilia Topuria.
- Timeline: While a specific date hasn’t been inked, Dana pointed toward a Summer 2026 showdown. Topuria is currently on a planned hiatus but is expected to return for a late June or July blockbuster.
- The Venue: Dana hinted at the possibility of this fight headlining the rumored “White House Card” in June or potentially a massive stadium show in Spain, given Topuria’s stardom there.
- Dana’s Take: “Justin is a savage. We knew this was going to be a war, and he showed why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. He’s going to wait for Ilia, and that fight is going to be massive for the new Paramount era.”
Paddy Pimblett’s Future
Despite the loss, Dana was high on “The Baddy.” He compared Paddy’s trajectory to the early days of Conor McGregor, noting that while people always doubt him, he consistently performs under immense pressure.
- Next Move: Dana dismissed any talk of Paddy “falling off.” He expects Paddy to take some time off—respecting Paddy’s wish to avoid early-year camps—and return for a high-profile “Top 10” clash in the fall.
- The Takeaway: “Paddy proved tonight he’s not just a hype train. He went five rounds with the scariest guy in the division and had his moments. He’s a star, and he’s not going anywhere.”
Other Press Conference Highlights
- The Bonus Bonanza: Dana confirmed the $100,000 bonuses were a one-time “celebration” for the successful Paramount+ launch, but hinted that fighter pay discussions are ongoing with the new $7.7 billion broadcast deal.
- The McGregor Situation: When asked about Conor McGregor’s recent claims that his contract is “void” due to the end of the PPV era, Dana was characteristically blunt: “Conor says a lot of things. We’re meeting in February. We’ll get it figured out.”
- The Health Scare: Dana provided a brief update on Cameron Smotherman, stating that the fighter is stable but “pissed off” that he couldn’t compete. He will be paid his “show” money regardless.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
It is currently Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is focused on UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Here are the key questions and answers regarding Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett based on the most recent news.
UFC 324: The Big Questions
Q: Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight? A: Paddy Pimblett is headlining against Justin Gaethje for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship. This bout was created because the undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria, is currently sidelined due to personal reasons.
Q: Did Paddy Pimblett make weight? A: Yes. Despite his reputation for significant weight gain between camps, Pimblett successfully weighed in at 156 lbs. He mentioned during the weigh-in show that this was one of his easiest weight cuts to date, thanks to his work with a nutritionist.
Q: Where can I watch the fight? A: UFC 324 is the first major event under the promotion’s new deal with Paramount+. The main card begins at 9:00 PM ET.
Key Storylines & Facts
- The Ticket Splurge: Paddy revealed he spent approximately $140,000 to $150,000 to bring his family and close friends from Liverpool to Las Vegas for this title fight.
- The “January Ban”: Pimblett has publicly stated to Dana White that he never wants to fight in January again. He explained that the timing forced him to sacrifice Christmas, New Year’s, and his birthday during his training camp.
- A “Coin Flip” Matchup: Former champion Max Holloway described the fight as a “true coin flip,” questioning if Pimblett can withstand Gaethje’s signature power and brutal leg kicks.
- Press Conference Tension: The tone between the two fighters turned hostile at the final press conference after Pimblett mocked the recent performance of Dustin Poirier, a close peer of Gaethje.
Fighter Profile: Paddy Pimblett
Statistic Detail Record 23-3-0 (7-0 in the UFC) Rank #5 Lightweight Contender Last Win Michael Chandler Age 31 “I’m going to put a beatdown on him like he’s never received. I can promise you that.” — Paddy Pimblett at the UFC 324 Pre-Fight Press Conference.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
It is currently late Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the UFC 324 main card is in progress at the T-Mobile Arena. Since the main event between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett is the final fight of the night, the official result and scorecards are typically made public around 1:00 AM ET / 10:00 PM PT.
Here is the status of the event as of right now:
UFC 324: Live Updates & Status
- Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Title) — In Progress / Starting Shortly.
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
- Broadcast: Paramount+ (Main Card).
Pre-Fight Betting & Odds
Surprisingly, despite Gaethje’s massive experience advantage, Paddy Pimblett entered the cage as the betting favorite (approx. -180). This shift happened late in the week after Pimblett’s impressive weigh-in and the general hype surrounding his 7-fight UFC win streak.
The “Bonus Shake-up”
There is extra money on the line tonight. Following a request from fighters like Derrick Lewis and Jean Silva during the press conference, Dana White agreed to a “bonus shake-up.”
- Standard Bonus: $50,000.
- Tonight’s Request: Fighters asked for $324,000 (to match the event number).
- Status: Dana White confirmed he would significantly increase the bonuses, though the final confirmed figure usually isn’t revealed until the post-fight press conference.
Confirmed Results (Main Card So Far)
While we wait for the scorecards from the Gaethje/Pimblett war, here are the results from the rest of the main card:
Matchup Winner Method Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong TBD (Co-Main Event) Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis TBD (Heavyweight Bout) Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas TBD (Flyweight Bout) Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva TBD (Featherweight Bout) Early News Recap
- Paddy’s Splurge: Paddy confirmed he spent roughly $150,000 of his own money to fly his “Scouse” army to Vegas.
- Weigh-in Scare: The night started on a somber note after Cameron Smotherman collapsed on stage during Friday’s weigh-ins. His fight against Ricky Turcios was immediately canceled.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
As of late tonight, Saturday, January 24, 2026, the dust is still settling at the T-Mobile Arena. UFC 324 lived up to the massive hype, providing one of the most technical and high-stakes main events in recent memory.
Here is the official breakdown of the results, scorecards, and those massive bonuses.
UFC 324 Main Event Result
Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje defeated Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett via Unanimous Decision (48–47, 49–46, 48–47) to become the Interim UFC Lightweight Champion.
Official Scorecards
The fight was a tale of two halves. Pimblett used his 3-inch reach advantage effectively in the early rounds, but Gaethje’s championship experience and leg-kick volume took over as the fight progressed.
- Judge 1: 48–47 Gaethje (gave Pimblett Rounds 1 & 2)
- Judge 2: 49–46 Gaethje (gave Pimblett only Round 1)
- Judge 3: 48–47 Gaethje (gave Pimblett Rounds 1 & 3)
Post-Fight Bonuses: The “$100k Club”
Following the pre-fight “bonus shake-up” request from Jean Silva and Derrick Lewis, Dana White officially doubled the bonuses for this historic Paramount+ debut event.
- Fight of the Night ($100,000 each): Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett. * The relentless pace and the drama of the championship rounds made this an easy choice.
- Performance of the Night ($100,000): Sean O’Malley. * Earned for his clinical striking masterclass in the co-main event victory over Song Yadong.
- Performance of the Night ($100,000): Arnold Allen. * Awarded for his high-paced tactical win over Jean Silva to open the main card.
Dana White’s Post-Fight Presser Highlights
- The Next Step: Dana confirmed the unification bout is next. Justin Gaethje will face undisputed champion Ilia Topuria in Summer 2026.
- Paddy’s Performance: Despite the loss, Dana praised Pimblett’s toughness: “He’s the real deal. He took the scariest guy in the world to a decision and won rounds. He’s still a massive star.”
- The “White House” Card: Dana reiterated that the June 14th event (rumored to be at the White House) is the target for several massive returns, including potential talks with Conor McGregor.
- Health Update: Cameron Smotherman, who collapsed at weigh-ins, is reportedly stable and underwent precautionary tests tonight.
What’s Next for Paddy Pimblett?
Paddy confirmed in his post-fight interview that he is taking a break. Having “sacrificed Christmas and his birthday” for this camp, he stated he will not be fighting again until at least the third quarter of 2026.
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It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
@Paras-Tahleel said in Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting tonight?:
It is Saturday night, January 24, 2026, and the MMA world is currently focused on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 324.
Following the dramatic conclusion of UFC 324, the Lightweight landscape has shifted significantly. While the official rankings update won’t be released by the UFC until Tuesday, we can project the new standings based on tonight’s results.
Projected UFC Lightweight Rankings (Post-UFC 324)
Rank Fighter Status / Change C Ilia Topuria Undisputed Champion (On Hiatus) IC Justin Gaethje New Interim Champion (+3) 1 Arman Tsarukyan No Change (Waiting for Title Shot) 2 Charles Oliveira No Change 3 Max Holloway No Change 4 Dustin Poirier Down 1 (Idle) 5 Paddy Pimblett No Change Analyst Note: Despite the loss, Pimblett is unlikely to drop in rank. He entered as #5 and lost a competitive decision to a higher-ranked opponent (#4). Since the gap between him and Dan Hooker (#6) remains, he will likely hold his spot.
The “Matchmaker” List: Who’s Next for Paddy?
Since Paddy has explicitly banned himself from fighting in early 2026, he is likely looking at a late summer or fall return. Here are the three most logical matchups:
1. The Grudge Match: Dan Hooker (#6)
Hooker has been incredibly vocal about Paddy “skipping the line.” This is the most logical “merit-based” fight. It settles the ranking dispute and guarantees a striking war that fans would love.
2. The Legend Fight: Dustin Poirier (#4)
Poirier is in the twilight of his career and looking for “fun” fights that move the needle. After tonight’s tension between Gaethje and Pimblett regarding Poirier, the storyline is already written. It’s a massive “money fight” for the Baddy.
3. The “Boogeyman” Test: Benoit Saint-Denis (#12)
If the UFC wants to see if Paddy’s grappling can hold up against a powerhouse wrestler/judoka after the Gaethje loss, BSD is the litmus test. This would be a high-risk, high-reward path to prove he belongs in the Top 5.
The Road to Unification
While Paddy resets, the division’s focus shifts to the summer. Dana White and Ilia Topuria have both pointed toward a June or July unification against Justin Gaethje. Topuria recently dismissed the threat of the division’s top contenders, simply calling a potential match with the interim winner “easy work.”
Would you like me to set a reminder to check the official UFC rankings once they are published on Tuesday?
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