If you’re refreshing your apps and looking for the UFC line up tonight, I’ve got some news that might be a little annoying: the Octagon is actually dark tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026.
It feels weird, right? We’ve become so used to having fights almost every single weekend that a quiet Friday or Saturday feels like a glitch in the matrix. But honestly, this is just the calm before a massive storm. The UFC is currently gearing up for its huge debut on Paramount+, and they are holding back the big guns for the official 2026 season opener next week.
Where is the UFC Line Up Tonight?
There isn't a live event scheduled for this evening because the promotion is in the middle of a "reset" period. After the madness of the 2025 holiday schedule, the organization takes these brief windows to finalize visas, finish up the "Embedded" vlogs, and make sure the production trucks are ready for the new broadcast home.
If you’re itching for combat sports, you've basically got two choices: dive into the UFC Fight Pass archives or just wait eight days.
Next Saturday, January 24, is when the real fireworks start. That’s UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett, and it’s happening at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That card is stacked enough to make up for the lack of a UFC line up tonight.
The Huge Card We’re Actually Getting Next Week
Since tonight is a wash, let’s look at what is actually coming down the pipe. The January 24th event is kind of a historic one because it’s the first live event on Paramount+.
The Interim Lightweight Title War
Justin Gaethje is taking on Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. It’s for the interim lightweight belt. Gaethje is basically a walking human car crash (in a good way), and Pimblett has been riding a massive wave of hype.
A lot of people think Paddy is in over his head here. Gaethje has 26 wins and a reputation for breaking people's legs with low kicks. If Pimblett wins this, the MMA world is going to absolutely melt down.
The Return of the GOAT
The co-main event for UFC 324 is arguably even more interesting. Kayla Harrison is defending her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes.
Yeah, you read that right. Nunes is back.
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She retired in 2023, but the itch to fight never really goes away for the greats. Seeing her go up against a powerhouse like Harrison is a literal dream match for most fans. It’s the kind of high-level grappling vs. elite power striking that keeps us all obsessed with this sport.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Schedule
One big misconception right now is that you still need to buy traditional Pay-Per-Views for these numbered events.
Starting with the Gaethje vs. Pimblett card, things are changing. The move to Paramount+ means the "old way" of ordering fights is shifting. If you have the subscription, you're basically in. This is a huge win for our wallets, even if it means a few empty Fridays while they transition the tech.
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Other Fights on the Horizon
The schedule for the rest of January and February is already looking insane.
- January 31 (UFC 325): Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 in Sydney. That’s going to be a loud one.
- February 7: A Fight Night at the Apex with Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira.
- February 21: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez in Houston.
So, while the UFC line up tonight is nonexistent, we are about to enter a stretch of 43 events planned for the year. That's almost a fight every single week for the rest of 2026.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there are no fights tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the new broadcast era.
First, make sure your Paramount+ subscription is active and updated. You don't want to be the person dealing with login errors five minutes before the Gaethje walkout next Saturday.
Second, if you’re a gambler or just a stats nerd, start looking at the opening odds for the Pimblett/Gaethje fight. Gaethje is a heavy favorite, but the "Paddy Tax" usually keeps the lines interesting.
Lastly, check out the early prelims schedule for next week. They’re starting at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT. It’s an early start, so plan your Saturday accordingly.