UFC 324: Interim Lightweight Title at Stake as Gaethje Meets Pimblett in Las Vegas Main Event

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to ignite the new year with UFC 324, a highly anticipated card featuring a pivotal interim lightweight championship bout. The event, marking the promotion’s debut on the Paramount+ streaming platform, will unfold on Saturday, January 24th, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the evening is a clash between two of the lightweight division’s most exciting competitors: Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje and the undefeated Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett, vying for the coveted UFC Lightweight Championship.

Main Event Spotlight: Gaethje vs. Pimblett for Interim Gold

The main event pits the explosive power of Justin Gaethje (26-5) against the surging momentum of Paddy Pimblett (23-3). Pimblett, a charismatic figure from Liverpool, England, enters the contest as the betting favorite, priced at -238 in the latest UFC 324 odds. His favoritism is underpinned by an impressive nine-fight win streak, culminating in this, his first opportunity to claim a UFC title. Pimblett’s journey to this point has been marked by a diverse finishing ability, with 10 of his 23 professional victories coming by submission and seven by knockout, showcasing his versatility as a threat both on the feet and on the ground. Since joining the UFC in 2021, Pimblett has maintained a perfect 7-0 record, earning "Performance of the Night" bonuses in five of his last seven outings, a testament to his exciting fighting style and crowd-pleasing finishes. His perfect 3-0 record in Las Vegas venues further adds to his confidence heading into this championship encounter.

Across the octagon stands Justin Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion himself, who comes into the fight as the +195 underdog. Gaethje, known for his relentless pressure and devastating knockout power, has won three of his last four fights, solidifying his position at the top of the division. The 37-year-old Denver native boasts a formidable amateur wrestling background, having achieved NCAA All-American status at Northern Colorado. However, his professional MMA career has been defined by his striking prowess, with 20 of his 26 victories coming via knockout. His record also shows five decision wins and a single submission victory. Notably, Gaethje has never lost a professional fight by decision. His previous interim title triumph came at UFC 249, where he defeated Tony Ferguson via TKO. Despite subsequent challenges for the undisputed lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Gaethje has consistently proven himself a top contender, most recently capturing the symbolic UFC "BMF" title with a triumph over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. Gaethje holds a 3-1 record in Las Vegas, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles and experience.

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The over/under for total rounds in the main event is set at 2.5, with the "Over" slightly favored at -120, suggesting oddsmakers anticipate a fight that could extend beyond the halfway mark of a potential five-round championship bout, despite both fighters’ high finishing rates.

Co-Main Event: Bantamweight Contenders Clash

The UFC 324 co-main event features a high-stakes bantamweight showdown between two top-five ranked fighters: Sean O’Malley (18-3) and Song Yadong (22-8-1). O’Malley, the reigning undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, enters as the -218 favorite, a testament to his dynamic striking and recent championship form. O’Malley’s career has seen a rapid ascent, marked by his spectacular knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 to claim the title, followed by a successful defense against Marlon "Chito" Vera. His previous notable win was a split decision victory over Petr Yan. His opponent, Song Yadong, is priced at +180 and represents a significant challenge with his potent striking and well-rounded game. Yadong, a product of Team Alpha Male, has consistently proven himself against elite competition, showcasing crisp boxing and powerful kicks. This bout carries significant implications for the bantamweight division’s title picture, with the winner solidifying their claim for future championship contention.

UFC 324 Main Card Breakdown

The main card, commencing at 9 p.m. ET, features a series of compelling matchups across multiple divisions:

• Heavyweight Bout: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-345) vs. Derrick Lewis (+275)
  This heavyweight clash pits the rising prospect Waldo Cortes-Acosta against the veteran knockout artist Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis. Cortes-Acosta, with his powerful striking and undefeated record, faces a stern test in Lewis, who holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history. Lewis, despite his recent inconsistent form, always poses a threat with his one-punch knockout power, making him a dangerous underdog against the favored Cortes-Acosta.

• Women’s Strawweight/Flyweight Bout: Natalie Silva (-310) vs. Rose Namajunas (+250)
  Former two-time UFC Strawweight Champion Rose "Thug" Namajunas makes her appearance, facing the formidable Natalie Silva. Namajunas, known for her technical striking and slick grappling, is looking to re-establish her dominance, potentially in a new weight class. She faces a stiff challenge in Silva, who comes in as a significant favorite, indicating a strong run of performances that have garnered the attention of oddsmakers. This fight presents a crucial moment for Namajunas to prove her continued elite status against a dangerous, high-ranking opponent.

• Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen (+170) vs. Jean Silva (-205)
  The main card opens with a featherweight encounter between Arnold Allen and Jean Silva. Allen, a highly-ranked contender with a strong all-around game, seeks to rebound from recent setbacks. He faces Jean Silva, who has emerged as a promising prospect in the division. Silva’s aggressive style and finishing ability have quickly made him a fighter to watch. SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has identified this bout as a key opportunity, backing Jean Silva to defeat Allen. Vithlani notes, "Silva’s 5-0 start to his UFC career came to a screeching halt in his last fight against featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes. After finishing his first five UFC opponents, Silva was beat up and knocked out badly by Lopes in a nasty fight. Prior to that, Silva was emerging as the division’s fastest-rising prospect. I think he can get back to haunting his fellow featherweights, starting with Allen. Allen is an active southpaw kickboxer and a capable grappler, but he won’t have the advantage on the ground like Lopes did. Allen will need to stay on his lateral movement and try to out-volume Silva, but one big right hand or left hook from Silva could change this fight instantly."

Expert Betting Insights from Daniel Vithlani

For those looking to gain an analytical edge, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has released his comprehensive MMA predictions and betting advice for UFC 324. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has established a consistent winning record for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, where he posted a remarkable 5-0 record for UFC 283. His main-card sports betting picks have yielded over $1,500 in profit.

Vithlani’s track record includes accurately calling an upset for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card performance. Furthermore, his UFC 299 successes included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130). His expertise has provided significant returns for those who have followed his insights on sportsbooks and betting apps. Vithlani has meticulously analyzed the Gaethje vs. Pimblett main event from every angle, alongside the rest of the UFC 324 card, to identify his top betting picks and best bets.

UFC’s New Home on Paramount+

UFC 324 also marks a significant shift in how fans can access the promotion’s premier events. The UFC card is the first numbered event to debut on Paramount+, signaling a new era for fight fans. This move eliminates the traditional Pay-Per-View model for numbered events, offering them at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers. The streaming service will now provide live access to every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night. Beyond the live action, subscribers can delve into pre-fight docuseries, full-length replays of past events, and an extensive archive of fights from previous years. This strategic partnership aims to make UFC content more accessible and comprehensive for its global fanbase, transitioning away from individual event purchases to a subscription-based model.

Betting Opportunities and Promotions

The landscape of sports betting offers various avenues for fans to engage with UFC 324. New users looking to bet on UFC 324 can take advantage of promotional offers from leading sportsbooks. The DraftKings promo code offers new users $300 in bonus bets if their initial wager wins. Similarly, new users at FanDuel can utilize the FanDuel promo code to receive $300 in bonus bets instantly if their qualifying $5 bet wins. These promotions provide an incentive for new bettors to participate in the excitement surrounding the event.

For detailed picks and in-depth analysis on Gaethje vs. Pimblett and all other bouts on the UFC 324 card, including an expert pick on a fighter described as the "far more sophisticated striker" who Vithlani expects to "tee off" on his opponent, fans are encouraged to visit SportsLine.

UFC 324 Main Fight Card, Odds (as of publication, subject to change)

• Justin Gaethje (+195) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-238)
• Sean O’Malley (-218) vs. Song Yadong (+180)
• Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-345) vs. Derrick Lewis (+275)
• Natalie Silva (-310) vs. Rose Namajunas (+250)
• Arnold Allen (+170) vs. Jean Silva (-205)

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