MMA Junkie Fight of the Month January 2026 – Full Breakdown

January 2026 delivered high-level matchups, title implications, and viral moments across the UFC schedule. From technical striking battles to gritty championship defenses, the month offered no shortage of action. After reviewing every major contest, MMA Junkie selected its Fight of the Month from a stacked lineup of nominees.

Below is a breakdown of the top fights in chronological order, followed by the standout winner that defined the month.

Jean Silva vs. Arnold Allen – UFC 324

Instagram | sportskeeda_mma | Silva and Allen fought a high-stakes, physical bout to open the UFC 324 main card.

Jean Silva returned with urgency after suffering his first octagon defeat in September. At UFC 324, he opened the first main card of the Paramount+ era by taking on Arnold Allen in a bout that quickly turned physical.

Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) secured a unanimous decision victory over Allen (20-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC). The fight featured steady pressure, visible damage, and heavy exchanges throughout all three rounds. Silva dictated the pace, landing the more impactful shots while handling Allen’s counters with composure.

In the closing seconds, Silva created a viral highlight by briefly “surfing” on Allen’s back before springing into celebration. The moment capped off a performance that put him right back in the win column and reestablished his momentum in the division.

Mauricio Ruffy vs. Rafael Fiziev – UFC 325

Instagram | mmafighting | The Ruffy-Fiziev UFC 325 showdown delivered on its promise of high-stakes technical brilliance.

Anticipation surrounded the lightweight clash between Mauricio Ruffy and Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325, and the fight delivered sharp, technical striking from both sides.

Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and Fiziev engaged in a calculated stand-up contest early, each testing range and timing. The bout played out like a chess match until Ruffy found his opening in Round 2.

A powerful right hand sent Fiziev off balance. Ruffy followed with precise finishing shots, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 4:30 of the second round. The TKO victory added weight to Ruffy’s rise among ranked lightweights.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes – UFC 325

Instagram | lockeroomdebates | At UFC 325, Volkanovski solidified his legacy with a second victory over challenger Diego Lopes.

Alexander Volkanovski defended his featherweight title once again, defeating Diego Lopes in their rematch at UFC 325.

Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) had previously beaten Lopes in April 2025. In this second meeting, he removed any doubt by earning a unanimous decision victory. The bout marked the first defense of his second reign as the 145-pound champion.

Lopes (27-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) pushed the pace and created competitive exchanges, yet Volkanovski’s control, timing, and fight IQ carried him across five rounds. The result reinforced his standing at the top of the featherweight division.

Fight of the Month Winner

The January spotlight belongs to Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Their clash at UFC 324 delivered momentum swings, controversy, visible damage, and high stakes.

Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) regained interim lightweight gold, setting up a unification bout with Ilia Topuria. Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) entered the fight with confidence, but the contest quickly turned into a demanding war.

Round 1: Immediate Fire

Pimblett opened with sharp leg kicks and stiff punches. Gaethje responded with forward pressure and heavy hands. A clean right hand dropped Pimblett, and Gaethje surged for a finish. Pimblett survived the onslaught and forced the action back to the feet.

Gaethje later framed along the fence and accidentally got his fingers into Pimblett’s eyes, prompting a pause. Referee Marc Goddard issued a stern warning before restarting the fight. Gaethje closed distance again, leading to another heated exchange.

Round 2: Damage Builds

Pimblett continued targeting the legs early. Gaethje pressed forward and unleashed power combinations when Pimblett neared the cage. After a snap-down front headlock sequence, Gaethje resumed pressure and dropped Pimblett with a two-punch combination.

Pimblett returned to his corner bloodied. Replay showed Gaethje’s left hand contacting the eye before the right hand landed clean. No point deduction followed.

Round 3: Momentum Shift

Instagram | after.fight | Gaethje and Pimblett’s UFC 324 war was a bloody, high-stakes clinic in chaos.

Pimblett held center position to start the third round, creating more balanced exchanges. Gaethje appeared to injure his right hand and began favoring it. Pimblett increased output and found rhythm.

A switch knee landed low, briefly halting action. Once resumed, Pimblett controlled much of the striking until the horn.

Round 4: Pressure Returns

Pimblett opened aggressively but walked into counters. Gaethje reasserted pressure and connected with clean punches that left Pimblett on unstable legs. Despite visible danger, Pimblett survived again and rallied with a late flurry.

Round 5: Final Push

Entering the final round, Gaethje held the edge on the scorecards. Pimblett needed a decisive moment. A takedown attempt failed to bring the fight to the mat. He continued pushing for a finish but could not overturn the momentum.

After five rounds, the judges delivered unanimous scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Gaethje.

Official Result and Impact

Justin Gaethje emerged as the interim lightweight champion once more. The victory sets up a unification bout against Ilia Topuria and reinforces Gaethje’s position in the title picture.

Pimblett displayed resilience and toughness, yet Gaethje’s pressure, knockdowns, and damaging combinations proved decisive. The bout featured controversy, visible grit, and sustained action, making it the clear choice for January’s top fight.

January 2026 showcased elite skill across multiple divisions. Jean Silva rebounded with authority. Mauricio Ruffy delivered a sharp stoppage. Alexander Volkanovski defended his title with control and discipline. Still, Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett stood above the rest.

The fight combined momentum swings, high stakes, and five intense rounds that shaped the lightweight division. For those tracking the biggest moments in MMA, this matchup defined the month.