Published on: January 25, 2026, 09:14h.

Updated on: January 25, 2026, 09:15h.

• Justin Gaethje triumphs with unanimous decision against Paddy Pimblett in a thrilling lightweight championship fight
• UFC President Dana White confirms one fight was canceled due to suspicious gambling activity
• Gaethje is now set to face Ilia Topuria next

The excitement from UFC 324, held last night in Las Vegas, revolved around the interim lightweight title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This bout is already being touted as a potential Top 5 fight of the year as we look ahead to the end of 2026. However, post-fight discussions revealed that the UFC is grappling with another gambling-related issue.

Dana White, the UFC CEO, disclosed in the post-fight press conference that the scheduled lightweight match between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson had to be called off due to questionable betting practices. Although the UFC announced the fight’s cancellation just hours prior, the reason was not immediately clear.

It’s commendable that the UFC acted promptly; this marks the second occasion in a few months that Integrity Compliance 360, a global firm focused on integrity monitoring and regulatory issues in sports betting, has flagged irregularities for the UFC, prompting swift action.

Pimblett’s Strategy Critiqued

In November, the UFC released fighter Isaac Dulgarian after sportsbooks reported irregular betting patterns preceding his featherweight match against Yadier del Valle at a UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

“Yeah, it happened once more,” White explained to journalists afterward. “We received a call from the gaming integrity service, and I said, I’m not going through this again. So we canceled the fight.”

“The FBI is already investigating these matters, and I suspect this will be addressed next.”

No Updates on Fighter Suspensions Regarding Gambling Issue

White mentioned that he was uncertain whether the concerned fighters would face suspensions.

It’s unfortunate since the event marked a successful debut for the UFC on Paramount+, being the first show under their extensive $7.7 billion, 7-year agreement. The attendance at T-Mobile Arena surpassed 19,400, with a gate totaling $11 million.

Earlier, White informed media representatives that Paramount would release subscriber numbers related to the fight “Tuesday or Wednesday,” adding that “this has exceeded expectations by double … it’s astounding for Paramount.”

UFC’s Inaugural Event on Paramount +

The Gaethje-Pimblett match was a thrilling five-round encounter, characterized by Pimblett’s bloodied and bruised face as he took hit after hit, especially from Gaethje’s powerful strikes.

“I didn’t realize until tonight that Paddy Pimblett had such resilience,” White commented post-fight. “He endured significant blows from a fighter known for his knockout power. He was the favorite tonight. That surprised a lot of people. He’s usually the underdog, and everyone thought he would lose. I think his strategy could have been improved. But he demonstrated toughness and durability, particularly against Gaethje’s assault.”

White suggested that Pimblett might have benefitted from considering takedowns and attempting submissions after three rounds of striking.

Looking Ahead to Topuria’s Return

With UFC 324 concluded, White indicated that focus will shift to the UFC White House event scheduled for June 14.

Gaethje is now slated to fight the UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has temporarily stepped back from UFC competition but anticipates returning in about six months.

“Ilia hits like a freight train,” White remarked. “So does Gaethje. If Gaethje prepares adequately, it should be an exhilarating matchup.”

An interesting query arose post-fight regarding the delay between live action and streaming on Paramount and whether it might influence live betting.

“I hadn’t considered that,” White responded. “That’s a valid point. If there is a delay, depending on its length, live betting might not even be feasible, as the event could be over by the time someone wants to place a bet. However, any delay would likely only be 15-20 seconds, not an extensive broadcast delay.”