How Daniel Cormier Accidentally Leaked the Biggest UFC 324 Fight: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje for Interim Lightweight Title

Sometimes in sports, the official announcement is merely the confirmation of what insiders already know. Such was the case with the blockbuster interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje—a matchup that Daniel Cormier had already revealed was in the works before Dana White made it official during Thursday's NFL Thanksgiving halftime broadcast.

Cormier, serving as a UFC commentator and analyst, had dropped the information on his YouTube channel that the UFC wanted to book Pimblett versus Gaethje. The former two-division champion wasn't leaking proprietary secrets so much as confirming what was already being finalized behind closed doors. When Dana White went on CBS during the Cowboys-Chiefs game to announce UFC 324's lineup, Cormier's earlier revelation meant that hardcore MMA fans already had their answer—the interim title fight was happening.

This moment encapsulates a broader shift in how the UFC operates under its new Paramount+ era. The promotion is no longer keeping fight announcements under lock and key. Analysts, commentators, and insiders are getting information earlier, allowing them to discuss possibilities before official unveilings. In the modern media landscape, complete surprise has become nearly impossible.

But the fight itself represents something far more significant than a leaked announcement. It's the solution to a problem created by Ilia Topuria's injury layoff. The featherweight and lightweight champion announced she needs time away for personal reasons and won't return until spring 2026. Rather than leave the lightweight division in limbo, the UFC created an interim title scenario—something that has become controversial in recent years but remains a practical solution when champions are unavailable for extended periods.

Pimblett, the 30-year-old sensation from Liverpool, has been one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC since signing with the promotion in 2021. His record inside the octagon stands at 7-0, with signature victories over Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler. He represents the future of the lightweight division—a fighter with charisma, technical skill, and the kind of narrative appeal that translates to mainstream audiences.

Gaethje, meanwhile, represents the veteran pathway to redemption. At 3-1 in his last four fights, Gaethje has already challenged for the UFC lightweight title twice and is seeking his second interim title reign after claiming gold in 2020 against Tony Ferguson. For Gaethje, this interim title fight represents an opportunity to finally claim what he's been chasing for years—a legitimate path back to undisputed championship gold. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, had been vocal about Gaethje's demands for a title shot, even suggesting his fighter would retire if denied direct championship opportunity. The interim title fight, while not the undisputed title shot Gaethje sought, gives him a clear pathway forward.

The fight also serves as the headliner for a historic UFC 324, scheduled for January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This is the first event under the UFC's groundbreaking $7.7 billion, seven-year partnership with Paramount+. Gone are the days of pay-per-view barriers for domestic audiences. Every UFC fight will be accessible to anyone with a Paramount+ subscription, fundamentally changing how the sport reaches American viewers.

The card itself is stacked beyond just the interim title fight. Women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison will defend her title against legendary two-weight champion Amanda Nunes in the co-main event. Arnold Allen faces rising featherweight Jean Silva. Light heavyweight contenders Nikita Krylov and Modestas Bukauskas will collide. Sean O'Malley takes on Song Yadong.

What emerges from all this is the narrative of the UFC's Paramount era launch: a promotion confident enough to feature interim title fights, veteran challengers seeking redemption, rising stars making their statements, and returning legends testing the waters one more time. It's a card designed for a streaming audience unfamiliar with some of these fighters, introducing them to the full spectrum of what modern UFC competition looks like.

Daniel Cormier's leak, meanwhile, becomes a footnote—a reminder that in the age of instant information, controlling narrative timing has become nearly impossible. By the time Dana White made his official announcement, everyone already knew what was coming. The only surprise was the confirmation.