UFC’s 2025 calendar opener didn’t disappoint, serving up a slate of memorable bouts, highlight-reel knockouts, and a few odd injuries along the way.
Saturday night marked the organisation’s first event since signing a massive $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount. It was also their first appearance at T-Mobile Arena in over two years, setting the stage for an exciting start to the year.
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The fight went the distance, with Gaethje emerging as the first fighter in UFC history to win the interim title twice. The win also sets him up for a shot at Ilia Topuria’s undisputed belt later this year.
White addresses referee injury after UFC 324
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
As has become the norm for UFC events, UFC 324 didn’t come without its controversies and bizarre moments.
The referee for this bout was Mark Smith, who found himself in a unique situation by the end of it.
After the final bell, footage quickly made its way around social media showing Smith being helped out of the arena by security. Fans were quick to notice, but details were initially scarce.
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“Nobody has asked me about the ref blowing his ACL during the fight,” White said in his post-fight remarks. “(He blew) his ACL, yeah. (I’ve never seen that before) just (Bruce) Buffer. Buffer is the only one I’ve ever seen blow an ACL that wasn’t fighting.”
Buffer suffered a torn ACL back in 2011 at UFC 129 while introducing Georges St-Pierre ahead of his main event fight against Jake Shields.
UFC 324 main event split opinions among fighters
Even with five rounds of back-and-forth action, the main event drew a mixed response from both fans and fighters around the sport.
Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion and former lightweight titleholder, didn’t hold back in his criticism. He called the fight “inedible,” saying it was “served up on a platter.”
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In contrast, Khabib Nurmagomedov took a more positive view. He used the moment to congratulate Gaethje on becoming a two-time interim champion.
