The UFC kicked off 2026 with its first event on Paramount+, and UFC 324 delivered the kind of chaos fans expect from a big fight card. The main event ended with Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett to claim the interim UFC lightweight title, capping off a wild, back-and-forth battle.
It wasn’t just Gaethje and Pimblett making noise. The card featured multiple knockouts, big momentum swings, and several fighters who either boosted their contender status or left with new questions to answer. That sets up our UFC “stock watch” — a market-style look at whose value rose at UFC 324, whose slipped, and who might be one performance away from a major move up the board.
AllSportsPeople breaks down which fighters boosted their stock at UFC 324 — and which ones took a hit coming out of the event.
UFC 324 Stock Watch: Biggest Risers
Paddy Pimblett
Even in defeat, Paddy Pimblett’s stock rose after a gritty showing against Justin Gaethje. He absorbed heavy damage but never wilted, refusing to go away against one of the division’s hardest hitters. In the toughest test of his career, Pimblett proved he can hang at the top level.
“The Baddy” won’t be out of the spotlight for long — this performance showed he belongs in the conversation with the lightweight elite.
"That Scouser does NOT get knocked out." - Justin Gaethje
— Paramount UFC (@paramountufc) January 25, 2026
📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/LvqwmMGxqQ
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Ranked No. 5 heading into UFC 324, Waldo Cortes-Acosta scored a statement win over heavyweight mainstay Derrick Lewis. The victory extended his streak to three straight and came just two months after he fought twice in November.
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Cortes-Acosta has already caught Dana White’s attention by publicly embracing an active schedule and offering to fight multiple times a year. Now he’s in position for a step-up matchup — think a name like Curtis Blaydes — and if he keeps winning, a title shot could be within reach sooner than later.
Natalia Silva
Silva walked into UFC 324 having beaten Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso in her last two fights. While she didn’t look that sharp against Rose Namajunas, she secured the win against another former champion.
With a third straight win against a former titleholder, Silva secured a title shot against the dangerous Valentina Shevchenko. Good luck.
UFC 324 Stock Watch: Biggest Fallers
Derrick Lewis
Lewis looked extremely winded during his fight against Waldo Cortes-Acosta. The shots landed on him weren’t that effective, but they got the job done. A slip resulted in his downfall.
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Lewis looked every bit like a 40-year-old heavyweight nearing 41, and the wear and tear showed. He’s always been a power-first fighter, but relying on heavy hands can only take you so far at this stage. Lewis can still deliver entertaining fights and he’s still dangerous, but it may be a sign that his run near the top is starting to fade.
Rose Namajunas
Since moving from strawweight to flyweight, Rose Namajunas hasn’t found a steady groove. The former champion is now 2–2 in her last four fights, and she looked a step slow against Natalia Silva — even with Silva giving her openings to exploit.
“Thug Rose” will still get opportunities to show she belongs among the top contenders at 125, but after this performance, her path forward is murky and she may be stuck in a holding pattern for now.