Paramount and UFC are wasting no time showcasing the strength of their new long-term partnership. The companies announced on Thanksgiving that UFC 324 will mark the first live event featured on Paramount+ as the streaming service becomes the exclusive home of UFC events in the United States and Latin America beginning in 2026.
The announcement came during a special Thanksgiving Day segment on CBS and Paramount+, where UFC President and CEO Dana White revealed that the January 24 event will stream live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers.
It is the first of 13 numbered events that will be included with a subscription.
UFC 324 brings immediate star power. The main event features an interim lightweight title fight between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and rising fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. The co-main event adds another historic layer as women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison defends her title against UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, who returns to competition for the first time since 2023.
The card will begin early prelims at 5 p.m. ET, followed by prelims at 7 p.m. ET. The main card airs at the new designated start time of 9 p.m. ET. All fights will stream live on Paramount+.
For UFC fans, the shift represents a seismic change in distribution strategy. For the first time, every marquee numbered event and all UFC Fight Night cards in the U.S. and Latin America will stream exclusively on Paramount+ with no pay-per-view fees. In Australia, subscribers will receive preliminary bouts for all numbered events and full access to all 30 UFC Fight Nights at no additional cost.
Paramount is backing the partnership with a full-scale marketing campaign. The company announced a 360-degree rollout across CBS, cable networks, outdoor placements, theaters, and digital platforms. A new brand spot featuring some of Paramount’s biggest Hollywood franchises debuted Thursday, signaling institutional alignment behind UFC’s expansion on the streaming platform.
“Paramount+ and UFC are transforming the mixed martial arts fan experience,” said Cindy Holland, Paramount’s chair of direct-to-consumer. “Every division of Paramount is working in concert to ensure maximum visibility and unparalleled accessibility to current and future fans.”
White echoed the enthusiasm, calling UFC 324 “absolutely stacked” and highlighting the return of Nunes as the biggest women’s fight in the sport’s history. He also emphasized the value shift for consumers. “This deal is such a huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view,” he said.
The event’s undercard adds further depth. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley meets Song Yadong in a pivotal contender bout. Heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis faces Waldo Cortes Acosta. Arnold Allen takes on Jean Silva in a featherweight matchup. Former champions Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas meet in the featured prelim. Rising middleweight Ateba Gautier also faces Andrey Pulyaev.
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