The first UFC PPV of the year takes place this weekend, with British star Paddy Pimblett taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event.

The pair will fight for the UFC’s interim lightweight title after champion Ilya Topria announced that she would not be fighting for the time being due to personal reasons.

Pimblett enters the bout riding on the back of his biggest win to date, a third-round knockout of Michael Chandler, and has his sights set on the top rear if he can win in Las Vegas.

UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett | Sunday, January 25th, 1pm AEDT | Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. | Order now with Kayo Sports’ Main Event.

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Pimblett and Gaethje met for the final time before the fight at the official weigh-in on Saturday morning (AEDT).

Pimblett asked Gaethje, “How was your weight loss?” When the American answered, “Great,” Pimblett bluntly suggested, “It’s not like it.” The two shook hands, but Gaethje told Pimblett not to worry about just fighting.

Pimblett was fired up in his final pregame interview. “As I’ve said all along, Justin Gaethje is a legend, and I’m going to come out and finish him,” he told the crowd at T-Mobile Arena.

“As you know, I am adding another legend to my resume and am bringing this interim title back to my hometown of Liverpool, England.”

A more cautious Gaethje declared, “This is the biggest fight of my life.”

“I can’t wait to carry the Stars and Stripes on my back and represent this country as it should be represented,” he said.

Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will look to move closer to another shot at the title when he takes on Song Yadong in the co-main.

Some of the heavy hitters on the card include Derrick Lewis, Jean Silva, and Deiveson Figueiredo. And top contenders Umar Nurmagomedov and Natalia Silva round out the card.

— on DAZN

Silva secures victory

Gian Silva defeated Arnold Allen in a heated battle, with the Brazilian artillery scoring a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of barrage.

Silva continued to land jabs, starting the third round with a damaging three-punch combo before several lefts found their targets.

To end the fight, Silva pointed to the canvas and threw Allen to the floor in a dominant display.

“I love being here,” he said.

“It’s difficult for me to fight him (Allen). I respect him.”

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Perez stuns his opponent with a vicious blow

Alex Perez put on an impressive performance against flyweight Charles Johnson, with Johnson continuing to fight even after the referee stopped the fight.

Perez delivered a huge left hook that caught Johnson in the chin as he fell to the canvas in an ugly way.

In bizarre fashion, Johnson climbed the cage and crawled over to Perez, who was celebrating, grabbed his leg and tried to grapple him, but the referee waved him off.

“Johnson doesn’t realize the fight is over,” John Anik said.

“That’s a big result for Alex.”

Joe Rogan was sure this fight would have turned ugly if it hadn’t ended.

“That was a good stop. He didn’t realize he was gone,” Logan said.

“Perez would have dropped a big bomb if he hadn’t stopped it.”

Gaethje vs Pimblett match date and start time

Gaethje vs. Pimblett will take place on Sunday, January 25th (AEDT) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The main card begins at 1pm (AEDT).

Gaethje and Pimblett are scheduled to cage walk at 3:25pm (AEDT), but times are subject to change.

How to watch Gaethje vs. Pimblett

Australian fight fans can watch all the action from UFC 324 LIVE. Main Event (via Kayo).

Kayo Sports and Foxtel’s Main Event is the exclusive home of UFC pay-per-views.

foxsports.com.au We also plan to run a live blog of the event.

Gaethje vs Pimblett fight card

main card

Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)

Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong (Bantamweight)

Waldo Cortez-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis (heavyweight)

Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas (Female flyweight)

Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva (featherweight)

Qualifying

Umar Nurmagomedov wins decision over Deiveson Figueiredo

Ateba Gauthier wins decision over Andrei Plyaev

Nikita Krylov defeated Modestas Bukauskas by 3RKO

Alex Perez defeated Charles Johnson by TKO R1

Early qualifying

Josh Hokit defeated Denzel Freeman by 1R and 1TKO

Ty Miller defeated Adam Fugitt by 1R and 1TKO

Note: Cameron Smotherman was scheduled to fight Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight bout, but the bout was canceled. Canceled due to Smotherman fainting The moment you weigh yourself and step off the scale.