Gaethje Upsets Pimblett To Claim Interim UFC Lightweight Title
Gaethje won by unanimous decision on Jan. 24, 2026, in Las Vegas, with judges scoring the fight 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46.
Al JazeeraGaethje batters Pimblett to win interim lightweight title at UFC 324
Associated PressGaethje upsets Pimblett to win interim lightweight title at UFC 324
CBS NewsWhere to watch UFC 324 live to see Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje and more fighters
Rolling StoneHow to Watch UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett Online
Overview
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to win the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, 2026, in Las Vegas, with judges scoring the bout 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46, official scorecards show.
The main event was the UFC's first major numbered card on Paramount+ under a seven-year, $7.7 billion rights deal completed in 2025, a strategic shift that moved numbered events off traditional pay-per-view, records show.
UFC CEO Dana White said in a post-fight interview that early Paramount+ viewership 'exceeded expectations by double' and that final audience numbers would be released Tuesday or Wednesday, according to his remarks.
Gaethje, 37, improved to 27-5 with the victory while Paddy Pimblett, 31, saw his nine-fight winning streak end and his record drop to 23-4-0, official records show.
The interim title positions Gaethje to challenge undisputed champion Ilia Topuria when Topuria returns from a leave of absence that began in November, and UFC officials said Topuria is expected to resume fighting in 2026.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this as a triumphant UFC narrative by emphasizing Gaethje’s comeback, using evaluative verbs ('relentless,' 'upset'), prioritizing optimistic industry framing (prominent Dana White quote about Paramount’s success), and structuring copy to acknowledge setbacks but close by asserting the bout will 'overshadow' card concerns — steering readers toward a positive takeaway.