The UFC comes back from its extended six-week break/vacation to start 2026 with a bang.
The first card of the year – unlike in 2025 – is a numbered event (formerly pay-per-view), UFC 324, which features a stacked bout-list full of some of the most memorable names in the sport.
The early-preliminary card gets going at 5.30pm ET, whilst the preliminary card starts at 7pm ET and the main card starts around 9pm ET.
The exact time for the main event varies slightly, depending on the speed of the rest of the card, but it should get going no earlier than 11.30pm ET, and no later than 11.45pm-12am ET.
Who Is Fighting On The Undercard – and When?
The early prelim fights start at 2.30pm EST/5.30pm PST, and feature 15-year UFC veteran, Michael Johnson and newcomer Ty Miller amongst others.
Early Prelims (2.30pm PT/ 5pm ET):
Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez – Lightweight (155 lbs)
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller – Welterweight (170 lbs)
The early prelims was also set to feature a bantamweight bout between Cam Smotherman and Ricky Turcios at 135 lbs, but the bout was cancelled after Smotherman fainted on stage at the weigh-ins.
The preliminary fights then start at 4pm PST/ 7pm EST and feature five ranked fighters, including the #2 ranked bantamweight fighter Umar Nurmagomedov, who fought for the 135 lb title this time last year, against former champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Prelims (4pm PT/7pm ET):
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – Catchweight (138.5 lbs)
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev – Middleweight (185 lbs)
Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas – Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson – Catchweight (128.5 lbs)
Nurmagomedov – the cousin of UFC legend Khabib – will attempt to cement his place as the next challenger for the bantamweight title, having already defeated #9 ranked Mario Bautista back in October.
Ateba Gautier, meanwhile, will look to improve on his current record of three first round finishes since entering the UFC via the Dana White Contender Series back in September 2024, in his toughest fight yet against Andrey Pulyaev.
When Will The Main Card Start?
The main card gets going at 6pm PST/9pm EST – around an hour earlier than numbered events used to traditionally start.
The card commences with what should be a stellar, action-filled bout between Jean Silva and Arnold Allen.
All of Silva’s fights in the UFC to date have failed to go the distance, with him having won all of them up until his last fight against next weekend’s title challenger, Diego Lopes, back in September – where he was TKO’d by a spinning back elbow.
The main event gets going around 11.30pm – 11.45pm ET, and will feature Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, who will fight it out for the Interim Lightweight Belt. The winner will go on to face incumbent champion, Ilia Topuria, for the undisputed title.
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett – Interim Lightweight Championship (155 lbs)
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
Natália Silva vs. Rose Namajunas – Women’s Flyweight (125 lbs)
Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva – Featherweight (145 lbs)
UFC 324 Schedule: What Time Does Pimblett vs Gaethje Start?