After much anticipation around the 2026 UFC schedule, company CEO Dana White dropped some major news Thursday with the announcements about the first headliners for Paramount/CBS era, as well as other key attractions.
The top bit of news is that with lightweight champ Ilia Topuria taking a hiatus for personal reasons, an interim belt will be introduced at 155 pounds. Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will fight for it in the UFC 324 main event on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Also on that card, women’s bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will welcome Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) back from retirement in one of the biggest fights in women’s MMA history.
A plethora of other notable matchups were revealed, but in other championship conversation, just one week after UFC 324, another major event in UFC 325 will go down Jan. 31 in Sydney, with Australian featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) rematching Diego Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the main event.
The MMA community was abuzz in the aftermath of White’s breaking news drop, and they offered reactions on social media.
Dana White announces
Jan 24: UFC 324:
Gaethje/Paddy
Kayla/Amanda
O’Malley/Song
Cortes Acosta/Lewis pic.twitter.com/gOwLIGBfJO— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 27, 2025
🚨 STARTING OFF THE YEAR RIGHT 🚨
The first card of 2026 is STACKED!
Watch #UFC324 LIVE January 24 on @ParamountPluspic.twitter.com/ZwG25pNteL
— UFC (@ufc) November 27, 2025
I’m back.
— Jean “Lord” Silva (@Jeansilvamma96) November 27, 2025
New numbered event start time!!
Per UFC officials, #UFC324’s main card will air at 9 p.m. ET
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) November 27, 2025
And we’re back.
01.24.26#kaylaharrison#ufc#ufc324pic.twitter.com/GKdqvrMn8u
— Kayla Harrison Official (@KaylaH) November 27, 2025
Couple lads throwing hands, niceeee https://t.co/CmxCdcYzzF
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) November 27, 2025
🚨🏆 Dana White has confirmed the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett will face Ilia Topuria later in 2026 for the undisputed lightweight championship.
(via @danawhite) pic.twitter.com/GZdN95Y3p9
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 27, 2025
Missing the opportunity to fight one of featherweights goats is what hurts me the most. It’s not about who’s the best anymore. It’s about who’s most popular
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) November 27, 2025
I don’t beat my dong but I will beat yadong. pic.twitter.com/tFQqHGICnR
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) November 27, 2025
Love you man, let’s show some fireworks to everyone💥 https://t.co/KGjDGbg1ki
— Jean “Lord” Silva (@Jeansilvamma96) November 27, 2025
No more pay previews going to be a movie
— BUFF (@Buffalomma8) November 27, 2025
Mustache season coming soon 🤠 https://t.co/UPGDyYEPGw
— Diego Lopes 🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@Diegolopesmma) November 27, 2025
Today I am grateful for the opportunities for @Justin_Gaethje@KaylaH getting to fight for the ufc title, a milestone event. Also @UNmgdv the young eagle is back. For all the fake media you can cry yourselves to sleep.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) November 28, 2025
Come on Paddy! @paramountplushttps://t.co/TTWsNZvNun
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 28, 2025
Leon Murphy I will give you the opportunity to fight the number one contender. Tell your people your ready to fight me on the same card as the championship
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) November 27, 2025
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Fighters react to Dana White’s UFC 324, UFC 325 breaking news
