Not everyone is thrilled about the opening fight at UFC 324 this Saturday.
The UFC’s $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount kicks off with a numbered event on January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Leading the charge is Justin Gaethje, one of the most electrifying fighters in Octagon history and a former interim lightweight champion. With the reigning 155-pound champion Ilya Topuria currently sidelined, Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett for the interim title at UFC 324.
However, scheduling this bout despite the presence of top contender Arman Tsarukyan has caused some backlash, as has the choice to headline the event with an undisputed title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes.
The card suffered further when Harrison withdrew due to injury, leading a former fighter to criticize the promotion for ending up with what he called a “trash” title fight as the only championship bout in the UFC’s first event of the year.
Former UFC welterweight Matt Brown recently voiced his displeasure with the Gaethje vs. Pimblett fight during an MMA Fighting interview. Brown bluntly stated, “If this situation doesn’t make it obvious that the UFC is more entertainment than sport, I don’t know what will.” He described the matchup as an entertainment-driven fight rather than a legitimate sports contest, questioning the purpose of rankings. Brown labeled the fight as “trash,” suggesting it would be better suited as a co-main event or a No. 1 contender fight on a bigger card.
In other news, Gaethje has publicly challenged UFC President Dana White’s claims about fighter pay increases following the new Paramount deal. Despite White’s assurances that fighter salaries would rise, Gaethje revealed during UFC 324 media day that fighters haven’t received any financial boost from the new broadcast agreement. Gaethje said, “You don’t get a single dollar more than you would have if this deal hadn’t gone through!”
Fan Take: This controversy underscores the growing tension between sport integrity and entertainment value in MMA, which concerns many dedicated fans. Additionally, the debate over fighter pay highlights ongoing issues within the UFC that could impact athlete morale and the sport’s future growth if not addressed.
