Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje LIVE: UFC 324 - fight card, results, UK time and MMA updates
Live Reporting
Charlotte Coates, Josh Lobley, Paul Battison and Coral Barry
1.
Pimblett can celebrate 16 years in MMA with UFC belt, published at 03:24 GMT
Gaethje v Pimblett
Coral Barry
BBC Sport at the T-Mobile Arena
It's been 16 years and four days since a 15-year-old Paddy Pimblett walked into his first MMA gym and declared he'd become a UFC champion. The date, 20 January 2010, is etched in Pimblett's memory, as everyone laughed at the buzzcut-wearing, braces-sporting kid.
But Pimblett's unwavering self-belief has propelled him to the brink of the UFC interim lightweight title. Will he silence his doubters once again?
2.
Postpublished at 03:21 GMT
Gaethje v Pimblett
The formalities are done, so it's all systems go for Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett. This fight is a real head-scratcher.
3.
Nunes in support of Silvapublished at 03:19 GMT
Silva v Namajunas
Coral Barry
BBC Sport at the T-Mobile Arena
Amanda Nunes and Mackenzie Dern are giving instructions to Natalia Silva. Rose Namajunas took Silva down, and Nunes' voice boomed from the cage.
The Brazilian crowd is out in force, cheering on their own.
4.
Full-time fighter, part-time bread baker, published at 03:17 GMT
Silva v Namajunas
Rose Namajunas is in the middle of a scrap with Natalia Silva as I type. Namajunas, a two-time former UFC strawweight champion, is eyeing a flyweight title shot against Valentina Shevchenko if she can beat the second-ranked Silva tonight.
Speaking to BBC Sport earlier this week, the 33-year-old American said she'd be content with her career if she retired today, but becoming a two-division champion remains a priority.
Namajunas also revealed a hobby away from fighting: baking bread.
"I got into freshly-milled flour because it's healthier," she said. "I've had some bad batches, but it's an art. I'm not a great baker, but I love the taste of bread."
5.
'I wanted to knock him out', published at 03:15 GMT
Silva defeats Allen by unanimous decision
Jean Silva, after his victory over Arnold Allen, said, "We prepared for a three-round war. I wanted to knock him out, but my team told me to wait. It was crucial for me to be there for the full duration."
When asked about his post-fight apology to Allen, he said, "Allen was already here when I started. It's challenging to find someone you admire, and fighting him was tough. I truly admire him."
6.
Allen beaten on points by Silvapublished at 03:13 GMT
Silva beats Allen by unanimous decision
England's Arnold Allen lost to Brazil's Jean Silva by unanimous decision in a thrilling featherweight bout. Allen brought his cat, Fish, to Vegas for the fight, much to the delight of cat lovers.
7.
Bukauskas talks about hard times, published at 03:11 GMT
Krylov beats Bukauskas by stoppage
Modestas Bukauskas, despite tasting defeat in Vegas, is a winner after his challenging journey. Listen to his story.
8.
Bukauskas' fight to the cage, published at 03:10 GMT
Krylov beats Bukauskas by stoppage
At 19, Modestas Bukauskas endured a harrowing surgery, with wires connected to his heart while doctors operated. He remained awake for almost five hours. Bukauskas has been dealing with heart palpitations since childhood, which worsened as his athletic career progressed.
His goal was to make his Lithuanian father proud and become a UFC fighter.
"It was brutal," Bukauskas told BBC Sport. "I was awake the whole time. They had wires in my groin and heart, trying to induce palpitations. They had to burn off an external circuit in my heart."
Read his full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/c75xxy1nx23o
9.
Bukauskas beaten by Krylov, published at 03:08 GMT
Krylov beats Bukauskas by stoppage
Modestas Bukauskas suffered heartbreak in his light-heavyweight bout with Nikita Krylov, with the Russian ending the prelim fight with a powerful strike in the third round.
10.
Pre-main event updates, published at 03:06 GMT
Before diving into the main event, let's recap some highlights from UFC 324.
11.
Who's on the UFC 324 card?, published at 03:04 GMT
Gaethje v Pimblett
UFC 324 promises an action-packed night with these five fights:
- Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva - featherweight bout
- Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas - women's flyweight bout
- Waldo Cortes Acosta vs Derrick Lewis - heavyweight bout
- Sean O'Malley vs Song Yadong - bantamweight bout
- Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett - lightweight interim title bout
12.
Back again!, published at 03:02 GMT
Gaethje v Pimblett
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, UFC 324. It doesn't get more thrilling than this. Fight fans, welcome to our live text coverage. Liverpool's Pimblett aims to become the UFC lightweight interim champion, but America's Gaethje stands in his way. Let's get started!
