It has been confirmed that Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 324 in the first UFC pay-per-view event of 2026 on Paramount+.
The UFC Lightweight Title will be on the line as the champion ‘El Matador’ defends his 155-pound belt for the very first time against the #5 contender Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje Confirmed For UFC 324 On Paramount+
It has been confirmed that Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 324 in January in what will be the first UFC pay-per-view event since signing a new broadcast deal with streaming giants Paramount+.
There were rumours earlier this year that Topuria vs Gaethje was confirmed for UFC 323, but the UFC Lightweight Title back has since been pushed back to early next year.
Now, Topuria will aim to defend his 155-pound crown for the first time against the #5 lightweight contender Justin Gaethje.
‘El Matador’ was last seen knocking out future UFC Hall of Famer Charles Oliveira in one round at UFC 317, becoming the lightweight king in the process. In his nine-fight UFC tenure, the Spanish-Georgian MMA phenom has looked unbeatable.
Since then, there have been various rumours and speculation as to who Topuria will fight in his first title defence. It seems that ‘The Highlight’ is the lucky man, or perhaps unlucky depending on how you look at it, who has been granted the next shot at the UFC Lightweight Title.
Gaethje won his last fight too, outpointing Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 back in March in the ‘Fight of the Night’, this earning more UFC bonuses. Since then, the American has been vocal about getting the next shot at Topuria, and his wish has now been granted at UFC 324.
Although unconfirmed by UFC President Dana White himself, expect an official announcement in the coming weeks for this 155-pound super-fight.
The date and venue is yet to be revealed for UFC 324, but the Topuria vs Gaethje clash will take place in Los Angeles, California. What a way to kickstart the UFC’s broadcast deal with Paramount+!
🚨CONFIRMED: Ilia Topuria will defend his Lightweight Championship Belt for the first time against Justin Gaethje at #UFC324
The will be the first Numbered UFC Event on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/elk6ZK7oqc
— Octagon Pulse | UFC MEDIA🚨 (@OctagonPulse) October 7, 2025
Who Will Be The Topuria vs Gaethje Favourite At UFC 324?
Ilia Topuria’s next fight against Justin Gaethje will mark just his second fight at lightweight. The 28-year-old of course captured the 155-pound crown last time out against Charles Oliveira, and will aim to defend it for the first time early next year.
With Topuria vs Gaethje headlining UFC 324 next January, MMA fans are excited at the prospect of this compelling UFC Lightweight Title match-up.
Odds are available for the fight already with several UFC betting sites, who have listed the champion as a comprehensive favourite.
This comes as no surprise given the fact the Spanish-Georgian MMA phenom is undefeated and arguably the hottest fighter on the UFC roster right now.
Not to mention the fact Topuria is currently #1 in the latest pound-for-pound UFC rankings. Should he defend his title against Gaethje in Los Angeles successfully, he will further cement himself as the best MMA fighter on planet earth.
UFC 324 will mark the third time that Gaethje challenges for the UFC Lightweight Title, having lost his two previous attempts to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira respectively.
It could be third time lucky for the 36-year-old, but this fight against Topuria could arguably be the toughest of the lot. Gaethje is fairly easy to hit, which is a recipe for disaster against someone as powerful, accurate, fast and spiteful as ‘El Matador’.
With reports of Ilia Topuria’s break up with wife Giorgina, this could well have an effect on the outcome of the UFC 324 main event too. Whether it works in Topuria’s favour or indeed against him remains to be seen.
