With the UFC’s broadcasting move from ESPN to Paramount set to begin Jan. 24 with UFC 324, you’ve got to think the promotion has something special lined up to kick off the new era at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – right?

If so, that would have to mean the UFC has a massive main event lined up that would draw a maximum number of Paramount+ subscribers to tune in, but what exactly would qualify? We could find out Thursday as, according to Adam Martin on X, UFC CEO Dana White is expected to make an announcement during the Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving game on CBS.

Given the timing of the UFC 324 and the availability of worthy champions who aren’t booked, below is a ranking of five possible event headliners – and, really, these realistically are the only five. Anything else would be disappointing, if “big fight feels” is what we’re going for.

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1. Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett

Not only is this No. 1 on this list, it’s the one, the fight to make – period. Yes, Arman Tsarukyan just returned from a 19-month layoff with an impressive win over Dan Hooker this past Saturday at UFC Qatar, but there’s no need to rush him back. Pimblett is yet to lose in seven UFC appearances, is officially No. 5 in the rankings, already faced off with the champ, and he has a heated history with Topuria, arguably the biggest star in the sport right now, which makes this matchup must-see TV on multiple levels. If the UFC doesn’t make Topuria vs. Pimblett and instead opts for another Justin Gaethje title fight, it will be letting down the fans.

2. Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes

Harrison is the current biggest female star in the sport, Nunes is the consensus women’s GOAT, they used to be friends and training partners at American Top Team, and what more do you need? On paper, this would already be an elite-level women’s MMA matchup. You add in the aforementioned intrigue surrounding it, and now you’ve got a massive fight that commands the spotlight of headlining the Paramount debut.

3. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nassourdine Imavov

Admittedly, the “big-fight-feels” energy drops off significantly from the first two to these next three. But if you can’t make either of those fights, booking Chimaev in an intriguing matchup with Imavov would suffice. Since it’s the first middleweight title defense of Chimaev’s reign, why not make it the inaugural Paramount debut headliner where, presumably, a big audience would tune in to be introduced to the UFC’s “boogeyman.”

4. Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane

In combat sports, heavyweight is always a glamour division, and you could do worse than a UFC heavyweight championship fight for the Paramount debut headliner. Aspinall and Gane have unfinished business to settle after their UFC 321 main event ended in a no contest on account of Gane’s eye pokes. The timing is perfect to run it back in an even bigger spot – assuming Aspinall’s eye has healed.

5. Alex Pereira vs. Carlos Ulberg

If all else fails, just call on Pereira! He’s been there for the UFC time and time again to headline events on short notice, which has made him a legend and a star of the sport in a short period of time. Why not put him in this prime position of headlining the Paramount debut? The matchup with Ulberg isn’t particularly big time from a name-value standpoint, but Pereira himself is the draw, making any fight of his must-see TV.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Who’s headlining UFC 324? 5 possibilities for Paramount debut