Paddy Pimblett is scheduled to fight Justin Gaethje on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as the main event of UFC 324 for the interim lightweight title.

Below is a fuller, SEO‑friendly “Quick Scoop” style breakdown.

When does Paddy fight Justin?

  • Event: UFC 324 – Gaethje vs Pimblett (interim lightweight title).
  • Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 (local Las Vegas date).
  • Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USA.
  • Billing: Main event, headlining the first numbered UFC card of 2026.

If you are in the UK, the main card is set to start in the early hours of Sunday, January 25, 2026, because of the time zone difference, with the main card listed around 2 a.m. UK time and prelims starting earlier in the night.

Key timings (Gaethje vs Pimblett)

  • Main card start (US): Around 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.
  • Main card start (UK): Around 2 a.m. on Sunday (early hours of January 25).
  • Prelims (US): From about 7 p.m. ET.
  • Prelims (UK): Around midnight UK time.
  • Expected walkouts: UK coverage suggests Gaethje and Pimblett could make the walk to the Octagon after about 4 a.m. GMT, depending on earlier fights.

These times can shift slightly if earlier bouts end quickly or go the distance.

Why this fight is such a big deal

  • High stakes: The bout is for the interim lightweight championship, setting up a future shot at the undisputed belt once the current champion returns.
  • Stylistic clash: Justin Gaethje is known as an all‑action, pressure-heavy striker with a history of bonus-winning wars, while Paddy Pimblett brings a fan-favourite, aggressive style and strong grappling from Liverpool.
  • Career moment for Paddy: Pimblett (23–3) has talked about wanting an undisputed title fight in 2026, and this interim title matchup is a major step toward that goal.
  • Legacy moment for Justin: Gaethje (26–5) has already held an interim belt before, and reports frame this as a crucial chance to get back into the title picture.

Many fans on forums and social media see this as a classic “rising star vs proven veteran” story, with debates raging over whether Paddy’s momentum can overcome Justin’s experience and power.

Event snapshot in table form

Detail Info
Event UFC 324: Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett (interim lightweight title)
Date (Las Vegas) Saturday, January 24, 2026
Venue T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Main card start (US) Approx. 9 p.m. ET
Main card start (UK) Approx. 2 a.m. Sunday, January 25 (GMT)
Prelims (US) Approx. 7 p.m. ET
Prelims (UK) Approx. midnight UK time
Promotion UFC
Main event Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett
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Forum and trending context

  • The phrase “when does Paddy fight Justin” is trending in search and forum threads as fans rush to confirm the date and start times close to fight week.
  • Discussion threads often include:
    • Predictions about whether Gaethje’s leg kicks and boxing can neutralize Pimblett’s pressure and submissions.
    • Debates over whether Paddy is being “pushed too fast” or is ready for elite-level competition.
    • Hype around UFC 324 as one of the first big cards of 2026, especially with other notable names on the undercard.

From a “Quick Scoop” angle, the essential takeaway is: Paddy fights Justin on January 24, 2026, in Las Vegas, headlining UFC 324, with the main card at night in the US and in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK.

TL;DR: Paddy Pimblett fights Justin Gaethje on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, with the main card at 9 p.m. ET (about 2 a.m. Sunday in the UK).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.