Close Menu
Login
Subscribe
Demo
MMA

UFC 324 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje wins interim gold following brutal war against game Paddy Pimblett

News RoomBy No Comments14 Mins Read
UFC 324 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje wins interim gold following brutal war against game Paddy Pimblett

For years, the UFC promoted Paddy Pimblett as the next big thing. His rise to the top was meant to result in the Liverpool-born fighter holding gold.

However, in his path at UFC 324 was a dangerous Justin Gaethje, who brutalized “The Baddy” for five rounds to once again win interim lightweight gold.  

The UFC’s first show on Paramount+ began with a retrospective on the promotion’s history, honoring those who laid the foundations for what it is today. UFC 324 showcased the future, with fighters using their skills to deliver highlight-reel wins.

It also helped that the UFC recently upped the ante with performance bonuses ($25k for KOs), as the first four bouts ended via knockout. The theme of the night, it transitioned smoothly heading into the main event.

Gaethje (27-5) came into the fight looking to retire as champion by 2027. He started guns blazing and didn’t slow down. “The Highlight” landed several uppercuts and jabs that cut the face of Pimblett (23–4), participating in the toughest fight of his career.

The eye of Pimblett got poked at one point. He attempted to use elbows to hurt Gaethje. They were efficient. Gaethje’s strikes, which dropped Pimblett, were just too much.

Pimblett had a second wind and proved his toughness against the toughest opponent of his career. He chopped Gaethje’s legs in an attempt to keep him off balance. Pimblett even landed sharp uppercuts. His game plan was to outstrike his opponent. 

Gaethje, known for having a tough chin and attacking when smelling blood, was on another level.

Gaethje landed 178 significant strikes while Pimblett landed 169. The former landed 219 total strikes. The loss ended Pimblett’s nine-fight win streak. Gaethje has now won two straight.

Up next for Gaethje? It all depends on the status of champion Ilia Topuria, who is dealing with a personal matter. The interim champion could also fight Arman Tsarukyan, the top contender within the division.

Sean O’Malley may have secured a title shot on the White House card after beating Song Yadong in the co-main event. O’Malley (19-3, 1 NC) battled against Yadong (22-9, 1 NC), the latter landing leg kicks that hurt. “Suga” won round one and did enough in round three to get the win.

O’Malley called out Petr Yan for the UFC bantamweight title, likely on the White House card. He understands if former champion Merab Dvalishvili gets a third fight with Yan, but it appears likely the UFC will book O’Malley against the champion.  

Waldo Cortes-Acosta took it to Derrick Lewis, hurting the big man following vicious shots on the floor.

Ranked fifth at heavyweight, the Dominican used jabs and kicks to slow Lewis (29-13, 1 NC) down. Following a slip by Lewis, Cortes-Acosta (17-2) took advantage to get his third straight win.

MORE: All you need to know about the UFC’s partnership with Paramount+

Natalia Silva earned a win against a former champion for the third straight fight when she beat Rose Namajunas. Silva (20-5-1), replacing Alexa Grasso, was tentative to start the fight. The first round could have gone to anyone, but all three judges favored Silva.

As time went on, Silva looked confident. She took Namajunas (14-8) down late in the third, and it was enough to secure a win. With 13 straight wins, Silva may be next for flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.  

Arnold Allen and Jean Silva are known for their striking. They did so for three rounds, landing everything from leg kicks to uppercuts. Allen (20-4) used jabs to bloody Silva (17-3), while the latter used elbows and kicks to affect the spirit of Allen.

Silva is back to his winning ways as a member of The Fighting Nerds.

The Sporting News provided results, analysis, and highlights from UFC 324.

UFC 324 results, highlights

Justin Gaethje wins interim gold following bloody war against Paddy Pimblett

Gaethje won via unanimous decision. 

Round five: Gaethje with several big shots. he missed and Pimblett took advantage. Big right by Gaethje. Big right by the corner. Jab by Gaethje. Pimblett tried for a takedown. He held Gaethje by the cage. Gaethje with a jab. He landed multiple rights. 

Combinations from Pimblett. Uppercut from Gaethje. What a fight. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje (49-46 Gaethje)

Round four: Gaethje with a jab to the body. Pimblett with hard hits. Big right hands by Gaethje. Left hook from Gaethje and Pimblett is again on the floor. He held Paddy’s knee and smashed him in the face. Big right by Gaethje. Big left hurt Pimblett. Right hand by Gaethje. 

Uppercut from Gaethje. Big jab. Another one. Backfist by Pimblett. He landed combinations. Gaethje smothered him.

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje (39-37 Gaethje)

Round three: It looked like Gaethje poked his eye before the round ended. He didn’t get a point off though. Leg kick from Gaethje. Jab by Pimblett. Jab and a low kick. Pimblett got hit with a jab and a leg kick. Big jab from Pimblett. Head kick connected. 

Right hand from Gaethje. Kick to the chest from Pimblett Left by Gaethje. Pimblett with combinations. Uppercuts connected. Shot below the belt following a knee from Pimblett. Jab from Gaethje. Both landed shots. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Pimblett (29-28 Gaethje)

Round two: Left hook from Gaethje. Pimblett landing sharp leg kicks. Guillotine attempt from Gaethje. Big left by Gaethje. Pimblett tripped a few times. Knee from Paddy. Gaethje landing vicious shots, looking for the knockout. Gaethje with jabs and an uppercut. He tried for another headlock. 

Jab hurt Pimblett. Gaethje smothered him on the floor. Massive hammer shots. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje (20-18 Gaethje) 

Round one: Pimblett with a right. He landed leg kicks. A right by Gaethje. Overhand shots from Pimblett connected. High knee by Pimblett and an uppercut from Gaethje. Uppercut. Gaethje had Pimblett on the floor. He held onto his neck. Uppercut from Pimblett. 

Pimblett slipped. He landed an uppercut. Gaethje was coming in like he didn’t respect Pimblett’s power. Gaethje with combinations. Pimblett with a few uppercuts. Eye poke from Gaethje. Leg kick from Pimblett. Rights from Gaethje. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje 

The main event is up next, as Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title. Can Gaethje hold interim gold again, or will “The Baddy” prove to be the UFC’s Golden Boy?  

Sean O’Malley becomes top contender with win against Song Yadong

O’Malley got the win. He understands Merab Dvalishvili getting a third fight with Petr Yan, but he called Yan out. 

11:33 p.m. ET: Yadong went for the kill in round three. He landed calf kicks. O’Malley’s legs are compromised. He landed a few sharp strikes. A left from O’Malley connected. Yadong with combinations. Right hand by O’Malley. O’Malley with combinations and a knee. He avoided the takedown. Kick from O’Malley to end the fight. He should get the win. 

11:26 p.m. ET: Yadong with a kick that took O’Malley off his feet in round two. Yadong with a right. He landed an elbow. Left hook from Yadong. Takedown by Yadong, who then focused on O’Malley’s legs. He then got on top of O’Malley on the floor. A right connected by Yadong. 

11:20 p.m. ET: Yadong with a leg kick right away. O’Malley tried to use kicks of his own. Yadong with a kick to the gut. O’Malley with a left hand and a spinning kick. Yadong with a kick of his own. Left hand from Yadong. Takedown from Yadong turned into a guillotine attempt. 

The co-main event is up next, as former champion Sean O’Malley faces Song Yadong. If O’Malley wants to compete for gold by the White House card, he must look sharp. 

Cortes-Acosta wants Curtis Blaydes. If that fight can’t happen, maybe he faces Ciryl Gane if Tom Aspinall isn’t available.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta takes out Derrick Lewis

10:53 p.m. ET: Cortes-Acosta continued to use jabs and followed it up with a right. He then landed counter shots as Lewis loaded up his punches. Left hand by Lewis. Cortes-Acosta got on top of Lewis and landed big rights. The fight is over. It seemed Lewis slipped. 

10:49 p.m. ET: Lewis with a high kick. He landed a jumping kick. Cortes-Acosta with a few jabs. He landed a right hand. Cortes-Acosta shoved Lewis to the floor. He used jabs to his advantage. 

Heavyweights collide when Waldo Cortes-Acosta faces Derrick Lewis. This could be a good one. Don’t blink. 

Natalia Silva earns win against Rose Namajunas

10:26 p.m. ET: Spinning kick from Silva. She started to connect more, landing a straight kick and combination punches. High kick from Silva. Now a side kick. She sprawled, countering a takedown attempt. Takedown by Silva. Great round, but it may have been too late. Silva got the win. Wow! 

10:19 p.m. ET: High kick from Silva in round two. She landed a counter hook. Namajunas stopped a takedown and they both held one another by the cage. “Thug Rose” got on top on the floor and started hitting slams. Not much action. 

10:12 p.m. ET: Namajunas landed some kicks. Silva had a unique style to throw Namajunas off her game. Silva with a counter jab. Namajunas landed combinations. She connected with a right. Spinning backfist from Namajunas. Round one could have been scored for either fighter. 

10:01 p.m. ET: Natalia Silva has beaten Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso. She attempts to beat another former champion in Rose Namajunas.

Jean Silva beats Arnold Allen in hard-hitting affair

9:51 p.m. ET: Allen with an elbow. These guys should get a bonus. Silva with a high kick while pointing to the center of the octagon. Silva won via unanimous decision. 

9:48 p.m. ET: Allen could have taken him out twice with kicks. Allen with kicks. Silva with elbows. Round three saw Silva land combinations. They exchanged leg kicks. Silva with combinations to the body and head. Multiple rights connected. Allen tried a takedown. Silva with one of his own. Body shot from Silva. 

9:41 p.m. ET: Silva dropped Allen with a takedown in the second round and then landed a few hard shots. They got into it in the middle of the octagon. Jabs from Allen. A kick and then a flying knee connected. A right by Silva. A knee from Allen. Spinning Elbow from Silva. Both landed hard shots. 

9:37 p.m. ET: Allen with a chest kick to start. Silva with a punch to the gut. Allen with a jab. Both exchanged high kicks. Silva landed combinations. Allen with multiple shots to the face. Lefts from Silva connected. High kick by Silva and he almost took Allen out by the cage. 

9:30 p.m. ET: The fight is about to start. 

9:21 p.m. ET: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva opens the main card. 

9 p.m. ET: The UFC 324 main card has started (could get used to this earlier start time). There was a video showcasing the history of the UFC with “War Pigs” blasting all over the arena. They also showed the “Just Bleed” guy. Incredible.

8:56 p.m. ET: The first member of the UFC Hall of Fame, Class of 2026: Dominick Cruz. 

8:55 p.m. ET: Figueiredo stopped several takedown attempts. Both exchanged shots. Nurmagomedov with body shots in round three and has been one millisecond away from knocking Figueiredo out. Nurmagomedov got on top and pounded away on the floor. He had full control. He won via unanimous decision. 

8:44 p.m. ET: Nurmagomedov with a kick that pushed Figueiredo back right away. He landed another. Nurmagomedov with a takedown but Figueiredo got out of it with a guillotine. A massive takedown forced Figueiredo down. Round two saw Nurmagomedov continue with leg kicks. 

8:35 p.m. ET: The last prelim of the night: Former champions collide, as Umar Nurmagomedov faced Deiveson Figueiredo

8:30 p.m. ET: Pulyaev looked sharp in round two, until Gautier started getting a second wind. Pulyaev used leg kicks to hurt his opponent, but Gautier continued to press forward. Both exchanged high kicks. The fight went the distance, the first of the night. A very solid bout. Gautier won via unanimous decision. 

8:15 p.m. ET: Gautier with a punch right away that dropped Pulyaev. Pulyaev fell from a kick and that didn’t help his cause. Quick right hands from Gautier and Pulyaev had no choice but to run back. Pulyaev started to fire back. 

8:05 p.m. ET: We continue on with Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev.  

7:55 p.m. ET: Just when it seemed like Krylov or Bukauskas wouldn’t get a performance bonus, Krylov ended it seconds before the end of the fight. A massive hook and follow up shots ended it. 

7:42 p.m. ET: Krylov started with leg kicks but got hit with a few strikes from Bukauskas. The former with a big takedown. By the cage, the crowd booed because of the “lack of action.” The fight is the first tonight to go past the first round. 

7:30 p.m. ET: Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas is next. One of the first matches of the regular prelims. 

7:22 p.m. ET: Johnson, with a unique hair style, acted as the aggressor to start. He landed a high kick. Left hand by Perez dropped Johnson. Perez with a knee. A left hand had Johnson wobbled. Multiple hooks hurt Johnson. A sharp hook put Johnson down and the referee stopped it. Another KO, another bonus. 

7:12 p.m. ET: Flyweights are in action as Alex Perez takes on Charles Johnson. 

6:50 p.m. ET: Rapping like John Cena and acting like Colby Covington, Hokit called out Waldo Cortes-Acosta, fighting later in the night. 

6:46 p.m. ET: Hokit went for a shoot takedown and got it right away. He held onto Freeman through the fight, staying on his back. Hokit with a few uppercuts. He spanked Freeman. Knees and elbows connected. Referee stopped the fight with one second left. The fight could have ended earlier. 

6:35 p.m. ET: Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman is next. 

6:20 p.m. ET: Another shot dropped Fugitt, followed by a knee. With one second left, Miller got the win. Man wanted the new performance bonus ($25k to any fighter who knocks out/submits their opponent but didn’t receive FOTN or POTN). 

6:18 p.m. ET: Bruce Buffer confused Fugitt for Miller and vice versa. Fugitt with a few kicks, but Miller countered with some solid punches. Miller continued to connect with sharp blows. Spinning elbow by Fugitt cut Miller. Right hand from Miller dropped Fugitt. 

6:10 p.m. ET: The first fight of the night: Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller.

6 p.m. ET: The early prelims have started. 

5:50 p.m. ET: Travis Barker is doing analysis for UFC 324. Who had that on their bingo card?

5 p.m. ET: Due to two fights being called off, the early prelims will begin at 6 p.m. ET. 

4:15 p.m. ET: Due to irregularities within betting, Alexander Hernandez vs. Michael Johnson is also off. 

4 p.m. ET: Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman is OFF of tonight’s card. Smotherman collapsed during weigh-ins. 

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of UFC 324!

UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett results

Main Card

  • Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision for the interim UFC lightweight title (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
  • Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 
  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (3:14 into round two)
  • Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 
  • Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Prelims

  • Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas via KO (4:57 into round three)

Early Prelims

  • Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson via TKO (3:16 into round one)
  • Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman via TKO (4:59 into round one)
  • Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt via TKO (4:59 into round one)

How to watch UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett

You can watch UFC 324 live on Paramount+, with both the prelims and main card available to stream in one place. The best part: UFC 324 does not require a pay-per-view purchase — you just need an active Paramount+ subscription.

Paramount+ plans

  • Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): $8.99/month or $89.99/year
  • Paramount+ Premium (ad-free): $13.99/month or $139.99/year

Beyond UFC, Paramount+ includes a wide mix of live sports and programming, plus thousands of on-demand movies and shows, so you can stream events and entertainment on your phone, TV, or laptop.



Read the full article here

Keep Reading

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply

2026 © Prices.com LLC. All Rights Reserved.