UFC 324 Preview Show: How Will Justin Gaethje And Paddy Pimblett Kick Off The Paramount Era?
The UFC is back, and not only is it the start of 2026, it’s the start of a new era. On Saturday, UFC 324 goes down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The card is not just the first of 2026, but the first of the UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount, including a new, earlier start time. Will Gaethje and Pimblett put the UFC’s best foot forward for their new deal? And what about the rest of the card? Ahead of Saturday’s big event, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Alexander K. Lee preview UFC 324 and interim title fight between Gaethje and Pimblett, and what it means for the lightweight division as a whole. Additionally, Meshew and Lee discuss the co-main event bout between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong and whether O’Malley is fighting for a title shot, the stakes in the feature bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Derrick Lewis, the title eliminator bout between Natalia Silva and Rose Namajunas, answer fan questions, and more. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23 Jan 1h 11min
BTL | Gaethje vs. Pimblett, UFC 324; Plus, Who Will Conor McGregor Fight At the White House?
The UFC is officially back this Saturday for UFC 324 — the first event for the promotion under the new Paramount deal. In the main event, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett battle for interim lightweight title, while Sean O'Malley looks to get on track against Song Yadong. What's the excitement level for the numbered event? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the hype levels for UFC 324, the main event between Gaethje and Pimblett, what other fights stand out, and other big storylines. Additionally, topics may include Dana White shutting down Conor McGregor bouts at the White House with Michael Chandler and now Jorge Masvidal, Donn Davis stepping down from his role for the PFL, other news and notes in and around the sport of MMA, and much more. Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22 Jan 1h 19min
No Bets Barred: Best Bets For UFC 324 And 2026 Champion Picks And Longshots
The UFC is finally back! This Saturday, the world's leading MMA promotion returns from a six-week hiatus, kicking off 2026 with UFC 324. Headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, UFC 324 is the first event of the UFC's new Paramount broadcast deal, and sets the tone for the next era of MMA. So, of course, No Bets Barred is here to break it all down. This week, host Jed Meshew is joined by Morning Kombat's Luke Noseda to discuss UFC 324, and predict the year-end champions for 2026. Topics discussed include whether Paddy Pimblett can complete his UFC title journey, how much Justin Gaethje has left in the tank, if Sean O'Malley will get a title shot with a win over Song Yadong, if Jean Silva is also fighting for a title shot, the start of a brand new Climb, and more. Tune in for episode 146 of No Bets Barred. Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Follow Luke Noseda: @MainCardMinute Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21 Jan 1h 34min
Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Unloads on UFC for Denying Arman Tsarukyan His Title Shot, UFC 324 Main Event Predictions
In the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin look ahead to UFC 324, Kayla Harrison’s injury and if Amanda Nunes should consider taking another fight while the champion is sidelined. Plus we’ll discuss Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett and how much this fight really matters to the lightweight division and Arman Tsarukyan being stuck on the outside looking in despite being the clear cut No. 1 contender. We’ll also discuss Dana White saying he’s no longer interested in Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler and much more. Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20 Jan 1h 1min
MMA Fighting UFC Fantasy Draft, Season 4: Which 72 Fighters Will Start The Paramount Era With A Bang?
The MMA Fighting team is back with Season 4 of its fantasy league! Who is set to star inside the octagon over the next six months? Will Islam Makhachev put together a real title reign at 170 pounds? Will Alex Pereira get to fight Jon Jones at UFC White House? Is Conor McGregor returning? Plus, which under-the-radar standouts could fight more than once and produce the kinds of finishes that make the difference between winning and losing the league? Join the MMA Fighting staff as they select the 72 fighters they think are best poised to start 2026 off with a bang. Follow Alexander K. Lee @AlexanderKLee Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Follow Mike Heck @MikeHeck_JR Follow Guilherme Cruz @guicruzzz Follow José Youngs @JoseYoungs Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
16 Jan 1h 36min
BTL | Harrison OUT Of UFC 324, Dana White Announces Adesanya Return, RAF 5 Recap
The UFC has been in the news quite a bit on their final off-week ahead of UFC 324, but the first event on Paramount+ took a hit with Kayla Harrison being forced out of her title defense against the returning Amanda Nunes. How big of a hit to the card is the loss? On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses Harrison being scratched due to a reported neck injury, where Nunes goes, and more. Additionally, topics include Dana White announcing the return of Israel Adesanya as he faces Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle, RAF 5 this past Saturday highlighted by Colby Covington and Arman Tsarukyan's tech fall victories, Bo Nickal's callout of Covington for the White House card, PFL heading to Pittsburgh headlined by Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle, and more. Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15 Jan 1h 27min
BREAKING: Kayla Harrison OUT Of UFC 324 Matchup With Amanda Nunes
The UFC's debut on Paramount+ has taken a hit with Kayla Harrison suffering a reported injury that has scratched her from her scheduled title defense against Amanda Nunes at UFC324. Following the breaking news, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react, discuss if Nunes should remain on the card against a new opponent, and much more. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr Follow Jed Meshew: @JedKMeshew Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 Jan 24min
Fighter vs Writer: Boldest Predictions for 2026, Most Vulnerable UFC Champion and Must See Fight This Year?
On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin give their predictions for the UFC in 2026 including the most vulnerable champion on the roster, the champion most likely to hold onto their title for the whole year, one must see fight and our boldest predictions for the year ahead. All this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
13 Jan 1h 13min
