Fans continue to criticise the planned headliner for the first major Paramount event. Today, they briefly saw a tease for a third title fight, but the excitement ended quickly.
UFC 324 marks the start of the organisation’s new multi-billion-dollar partnership with Paramount. All numbered events will now stream on Paramount+ without pay-per-view fees. Fans expect major savings. However, frustration grew after the promotion booked a lightweight interim title fight that excludes clear top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Accidental Leak Shows Holloway vs Oliveira BMF Title Fight
This afternoon, the official UFC Brazil account mistakenly posted an announcement for a third title bout. The post revealed plans for a BMF title fight. Max Holloway would defend against Charles Oliveira. The announcement praised a clash of “tough shells” and promised a showdown to crown the organisation’s toughest fighter. The post was removed moments later.
Bloody Elbow later confirmed that the fight will not join the card. The outlet reported an internal miscommunication. Early planning included a Holloway–Oliveira rematch for the BMF belt. These plans changed before the official reveal.
Unclear Why the BMF Fight Was Removed
Dana White unveiled the full UFC 324 lineup during the NFL Thanksgiving broadcast. Holloway vs Oliveira was missing from his announcement. The reason for removing the fight remains unknown. Plans for any replacement also remain unclear.
Fans Criticise the New Main Event
Instead, Paddy Pimblett will headline the event against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. Kayla Harrison meets Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight belt in the co-main. Sean O’Malley faces Song Yadong in the next fight down the card.
Many fans dislike the main event. They highlight Tsarukyan’s absence after he established his number-one-contender status by beating Dan Hooker in Qatar.
The mood worsened when UFC 325 was announced with Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2. Viewers accused the organisation of drifting toward professional wrestling–style booking and even threatened a boycott.
