In an exciting announcement, Dana White has confirmed that Justin Gaethje will square off against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, scheduled for January 24th.

The UFC president shared this thrilling update during the halftime show of the Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving game aired on CBS, unveiling what promises to be a spectacular fight card.

Joining Pimblett and Gaethje on this star-studded lineup, the legendary Amanda Nunes will make her much-anticipated return to the octagon for a championship bout against Kayla Harrison. Additionally, Sean O’Malley is set to face off with Song Yadong on the main card.

In a statement released on Thursday, White expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “This event marks the beginning of an amazing collaboration with Paramount.”

“I’m thrilled for UFC fans, as our debut card features six current and former champions, including the highly-anticipated comeback of the greatest female fighter in history, setting the stage for the most significant women’s fight ever,” he added.

UFC chief Dana White made a shock announcement to reveal the stacked UFC 324 card

Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett will make his return to the cage for an interim title fight

Pimblett will take on American star Justin Gaethje in the main event at the T-Mobile Arena

White also confirmed that, as part of the new deal with Paramount, the main card will take place an hour earlier than in previous events – moving from 10pm (ET) to 9pm. 

The announcement comes just hours after lightweight champion Ilia Topuria revealed that he will be taking some time away from the sport to focus on a family matter.

Topuria had been tipped for a fight with either Gaethje or Pimblett – who are both contenders in the lightweight division – before making his announcement. 

Taking to X on Thursday afternoon, Topuria wrote: ‘I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible. 

‘I don’t want to hold up the division. The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon as the matters are resolved I’ll let the UFC know I’m ready to begin my return’. 

Now, ‘The Highlight’ and ‘The Baddy’ will share the octagon at the T-Mobile Arena in a battle to claim the interim title and set up a fight with Topuria later down the line. 

Pimblett’s future had been heavily discussed by UFC fans in recent months, with many keen to see the Liverpudlian back in the octagon amid his current win streak.

The 30-year-old had hinted at a fight with rival Topuria – with whom he has clashed with outside the cage on numerous occasions – but that will have to wait. 

While Gaethje is certainly a fan favorite, the hype behind him arguably isn’t as big as it is for Pimblett, given the American’s brutal KO loss to Max Holloway in April 2024. 

Pimblett had been tipped to fight Ilia Topuria (left) but the Spaniard announced on Thursday that he will be taking time away from fighting in order to focus on a personal matter

Former double champion Amanda Nunes will return to the octagon for the first time since 2023

Sean O’Malley (right) will also feature on the card in a fight against Song Yadong

Pimblett has not stepped foot inside the cage since his dominant TKO victory over Michael Chandler, while Gaethje has not fought since beating Rafael Fiziev in March.

The likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway will all be watching on eagerly, in case they get a title shot against the winner. 

Meanwhile, fight fans will be thrilled to see the return of UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, who will face Kayla Harrison in a women’s bantamweight title bout.

After beating Julianna Pena in June 2023, Nunes announced her retirement from the sport, before double backing on that claim in June this year. 

The Brazilian is regarded as one of the best female fighters in UFC history, having become a double champion back in 2018 after defeating Cris Cyborg.

Elsewhere on the card, bantamweight star Sean O’Malley will make his return to the octagon to face Song Yadong, following back-to-back defeats to Merab Dvalishvili.

After a unanimous decision defeat at UFC 306 – which took place at The Sphere in Las Vegas – O’Malley was then submitted in the third round of their bout in June.