Even before the first UFC event of 2026, UFC 324, began, it took a major hit mid-afternoon. The lightweight contest between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez was scrapped from the card, leaving the card damaged.

In the first fight of the main card for UFC 324, fans got to see something exceptionally unusual. It came right at the very end of a three-round fight between Jean Silva and Arnold Allen. Silva, who had gotten the better of most of the fight,

UFC is set to significantly increase its bonus payouts. Starting with UFC 324, the organization will double its Fight Night bonus structure. Fighters will now receive more money for top performances and Fight of the Night.

The UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena for its first card of 2026 with an 11-bout event whose main card is billed as UFC 324 and features unbeaten (in the promotion) lightweight Paddy Pimblett making his first bid for a championship belt, albeit an interim version, in the final fight.

Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was the first fighter to the scale for his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who ironically was the last fighter to come to the scale during the one-hour window. Pimblett was a pound under at 154; Gaethje was 155 on the nose.

From rumored superfights to taking the Octagon to the White House, the new year could take UFC to another level

Sean O'Malley 's last title win in his reign at 135 pounds was beyond impressive.