The first UFC fight card of 2026 has come and gone, and a new interim champion has been crowned. UFC 324 saw Justin Gaethje beat Paddy Pimblett in a bloody war for the interim UFC lightweight title.

It was a new era for the UFC, debuting on Paramount+. The night was full of big moments, from massive knockouts to a violent main event.

It did help that there was a new 25k performance bonus for any knockout or submission.

Even with the loss of Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, along with a few others, the event had some great moments. How did the fights look to observers?

The Sporting News provided a complete set of fight grades (even a grade for Paramount+). Each fight also gets a rewatchability score (1-10) based on how fun, exciting or historic it is — so if you missed any of the action live, you can decide what you’ll go back and re-watch.

Paramount+ app performance

Grade: A+

Why: The Paramount+ stream was extremely efficient. The picture quality was clear. While there appeared to be a delay in the action compared to being there live, it didn’t affect the experience. With the only required payment being for the app and not an additional PPV charge, it was a smooth transition from the early prelims to the main card.

Rewatchability: N/A

Dominick Cruz UFC Hall of Fame announcement

Grade: A+

Why: Dominick Cruz’s induction announcement for the 2026 class was 100% deserved. His reaction while acting as a member of the broadcast team was genuine and moving. Cruz was a pioneer for the sport and will be honored for his efforts. 

Rewatchability: 10/10

UFC 324 fight grades & rewatchability

Alright, let’s get into the fight grades for the full UFC 324 card. The grades are based on general fight action, result, how worth it it is to go back and re-watch them.

Detailed UFC 324 fight notes

Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title

• Result: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
• Grade: A

It may have been for interim gold, but Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett went to war for five rounds, as if it were for the status of undisputed. Everything about it was near-perfect, with Gaethje proving he’s still got it, and Pimblett digging deep and giving the best performance of his career.

Rewatchability: 10/10 —”The Baddy” showcased durability unseen before and proved he deserves to be in the spotlight. It was an early contender for Fight of the Year. This is a fight you want to check out on replay whenever possible.

Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong

• Result: Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Grade: B-

The fight started with several leg kicks and ended with big shots that damaged both men. O’Malley won despite his legs getting compromised. He got taken down several times but tried to reverse it into several guillotines.

MORE: Results, highlights from UFC 324

Rewatchability: 7/10 — It wasn’t a classic O’Malley performance, as it seemed he was tentative at times. However, it was a step in the right direction, and fans will likely want to tune in to see his return following two straight losses.

Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

• Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (3:14 into round two)
• Grade: C+

Many expected a slugfest. Instead, it was a one-sided beatdown from Cortes-Acosta. Lewis exhausted himself early, and Cortes-Acosta took advantage, using jabs to hurt “The Black Beast.” A slip from Lewis resulted in Cortes-Acosta smashing his way to victory.

Rewatchability: 4/10 — This one could be watched via a social media clip.

Rose Namajunas vs. Natalia Silva

• Result: Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Grade: B-

In a fight to determine the top contender for flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, Silva beat a former champion for the third straight fight. She was tentative to start the first round, with the scoring going either way. Things picked up in the second, but it was really in the third where Silva had a true edge with kicks and takedowns.

Rewatchability: 5/10 —Everyone was split on the result. It didn’t feel like a contender fight, but a win was a step in the right direction for Silva.

Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen

• Result: Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Grade: A-

As expected, Silva and Allen showcased the toughness and weirdness both are known for. They had a fun back-and-forth battle, with Allen absorbing shots as he did against Max Holloway. Before the main event, it was my top contender for Fight of the Night/Year.

Rewatchability: 9/10 — From takedowns to jabs to hard shots, these guys threw everything but the kitchen sink at one another. Silva jumping on Allen’s back before the final bell was extremely entertaining.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

• Result: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Grade: B-

If you are a fan of Umar, you got what you wanted. It was a clean sweep against Figueiredo, who didn’t offer much in the fight. Figueiredo landed single-digit significant strikes and got taken down a few times.

MORE: All you need to know about the UFC’s partnership with Paramount+

Rewatchability: 6/10 —The one-sided performance could have resulted in the ultimate reward for Umar, a title shot. Unfortunately for him, O’Malley’s win trumped it.

Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev

• Result: Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Grade: C

Gautier landed a punch right away that dropped Pulyaev. That was all the high-octane action there was in a fight many expected wouldn’t go the distance. Pulyaev attempted to recover in the second, but Gautier continued to press forward.

Rewatchability: 3/10 — It was a fight both may want to forget, as far as fan interest goes.

Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas

• Result: Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas via KO (4:57 into round three)
• Grade: C+

It was the first fight to make it out of the first round. Though the crowd booed due to a “lack of action,” the two actually put on a serviceable performance. They exchanged shots, but with the fight mainly on the floor, there wasn’t a true highlight until the very last second of the fight.

A massive hook and follow-up shots from Krylov ended it.

Rewatchability: 5/10 — It’s one to look back on for the finish, likely on social media.

Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson

• Result: Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson via TKO (3:16 into round one)
• Grade: B+

The fight ended with Perez taking Johnson to Left Hook City. His striking was efficient as he used body kicks and combinations to hurt his opponent. Johnson started with a high kick. It was Perez who would assert dominance, landing a left that dropped Johnson. Following up with a knee and another left, Perez’s flurries were too much for Johnson.

MORE: Complete MMA schedule for 2026

Rewatchability: 7/10 — If you liked great knockouts, this one was the fight for you.

Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman

• Result: Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman via TKO (4:59 into round one)
• Grade: B+

As expected, Hokit went for a shoot takedown right away. The result was almost inevitable after that, as he damaged Freeman while on his back. A high grade was added for the literal and figurative spanking Hokit gave Freeman. Freeman was outmatched from the opening bell.

Rewatchability: 7/10 — If you took away the post-fight shenanigans, it was a perfect night for Hokit, who is proving to be a threat at heavyweight.

Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller

• Result: Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt via TKO (4:59 into round one)
• Grade: A-

The first fight of the night started off hot, with both men aiming for the 25k performance bonus.

Miller looked sharp to start with solid punches. Fugitt had a quick edge with a spinning elbow, but Miller dropped Fugitt not long after. Miller dropped Fugitt again. Following a knee and a few strikes, the fight was over.

Rewatchability: 7/10 — It wasn’t pretty, but in a good way. A nice appetizer to start 2026.