UFC 324 at T‑Mobile Arena was billed as the perfect way to open 2026, with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fighting for the interim lightweight title in front of a loud Las Vegas crowd and a new streaming audience on Paramount+.
The matchup paired a 37‑year‑old chaos veteran against a 31‑year‑old star who had been carefully built through highlight finishes and charismatic interviews.
Gaethje walked away with a unanimous decision and interim gold after five rounds that mixed wild exchanges with some of the most tactical work of his late career, with judges leaning clearly his way on two of the three cards.
The fight fit his reputation, adding another classic to a resume already loaded with Fight of the Night and Performance bonuses, which he has collected repeatedly over his last dozen appearances.
For Pimblett, the loss stung, but it also showed he can survive and fire back against the heaviest puncher he has faced since joining the promotion, after a run of finishes that included a notable stoppage of Michael Chandler in 2025.
His stock took a hit in the standings but not necessarily with matchmakers, who now have proof he can headline a five‑round war without folding under pressure.
Just as important was the timing: the interim belt only existed because champion Ilia Topuria stepped away following serious off‑cage allegations, forcing the promotion to keep the division moving while its title picture remains messy.
That context made every round feel heavier, with fans online already arguing whether Gaethje’s win sets up a unification fight or whether the company will wait for legal and public relations fallout to calm down.
New Money, New Platform, Same Brutal Stakes
UFC 324 was more than a title fight card; it marked the official start of the Paramount+ era for the promotion, with the entire event built and promoted as the streamer’s first big combat sports showcase of 2026.
Behind the scenes, the business model is shifting too, with 2026 bringing higher post‑fight bonuses that raised the stakes for every finish and all‑action bout on the card.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett (Credit: UFC)
Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night checks now sit at a level where one bonus can radically change a mid‑tier fighter’s year, which helps explain why so many athletes on this card pushed for late stoppages rather than coasting on early leads.
That urgency was visible lower down, where names like Umar Nurmagomedov and several heavyweights treated their spots as auditions for bigger opportunities, using dominant decisions and violent knockouts to grab attention on a crowded card.
The ripple effect reaches divisions beyond lightweight, since strong showings here feed directly into matchmaking for upcoming events such as UFC 325 in Sydney and future numbered cards later in the year.
All of this played out in front of a fan base that is more vocal and fragmented than ever, split between traditional pay‑per‑view expectations and subscription fatigue but still willing to tune in when chaos is guaranteed.
The Paramount+ launch made UFC 324 a test case; early social chatter suggests that if the fights stay this wild, many fans will ignore platform gripes and simply follow the violence where it lives.
What This Night Means For 2026
When the lights dimmed and the production trucks packed up, UFC 324 felt like more than a one‑off thrill ride for hardcore fans and casual streamers.
Gaethje’s win over Pimblett reshaped the top of lightweight for at least the first half of the year, while names like Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov quietly tightened their grip on title shots in their own divisions.
The promotion left Las Vegas with an interim champion, a controversial absent king, and a new streaming home that now has a statement night to replay on loop.
As 2026 rolls on with events already scheduled in Australia, Mexico City, and beyond, the energy from this card will follow the octagon from arena to arena, carried by fighters who saw what one wild evening in January did for everyone who stepped in.
For fans, it set a tone: if this is what “UFC Tonight” looks like at the very start of the year, the rest of the calendar suddenly feels a lot harder to skip.
Fans remember Gregg Popovich as the gruff genius behind five Spurs championships and a league-record 1,422 wins. Trouble started on November 2, 2024, when a mild stroke hit him right at the team’s arena before a game against Minnesota.
Assistant Mitch Johnson jumped in as interim coach, guiding San Antonio to a 31-45 finish that season despite injuries like Victor Wembanyama’s shoulder issue.
April 2025 brought another scare at a Ruth’s Chris Steak House in San Antonio. Witnesses called 911 after Popovich grew unresponsive, then barely responsive, leading to a stretcher and ambulance ride.
Details emerged later through audio releases, painting a tense picture, though sources stressed it was non-life-threatening and he went home soon after. These back-to-back events piled on, forcing the 76-year-old to rethink his role after nearly three decades on the sideline.
By May 2025, Popovich spoke publicly for the first time since the stroke during a presser introducing Johnson as permanent head coach.
He admitted progress but said his condition fell short for the grind of NBA coaching, calling it time for a shift to full-time president of basketball operations. Former stars Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili joined him, underscoring the family vibe he built in San Antonio.
Fans Flood with Love After Viral Walk
Videos from January 24, 2026, at the Austin Spurs G-League game lit up social media, showing Popovich leaning on a cane to cross the H-E-B Center court.
He waved to roaring fans, shook hands, snapped photos, and drew a standing ovation that spread online fast. Some spotted him chatting with players at halftime, hinting his coaching instincts linger despite the limp.
Gregg Popovich (Credit: NBC)
Reactions poured in, mixing heartbreak over his shaky steps with praise for his grit. Posts called it tough to watch the once-fiery “El Jefe” move so carefully, yet celebrated his return to basketball’s front lines. Spurs Nation sees this as proof that Popovich, Hall of Famer and U.S. Olympic coach, won’t fade quietly.
Under Johnson, the Spurs sit near the top this 2025-26 season with a 31-14 mark as of late January, chasing wins around Wembanyama’s rise. Popovich’s front-office presence keeps his influence alive, from scouting to culture-building.
Spurs Shift Points to New Era
Stepping away, let Popovich dodge the 82-game travel and stress, focusing on recovery while shaping strategy behind the scenes.
Johnson, a Spurs lifer since 2016 with the Austin squad, earned the gig through steady leadership and player buy-in. The franchise honored Pop with a simple rafters banner last fall: “Pop 1,390” topped by five championship stars.
Wembanyama posted thanks for 29 years of wisdom, signaling respect across generations. Popovich’s legacy towers: turning a 3-15 mess into a dynasty with Duncan, Robinson, Parker, Ginobili, and Leonard.
Now, his rare outings like the G-League night remind everyone the fire burns on, cane or not. Healthy enough to mentor, present enough to inspire, he’s adapting on his terms as San Antonio surges forward.
