Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks off its 2026 calendar with UFC 324, a card laden with high-stakes matchups and the historic move of its premier events to the Paramount+ streaming platform. This marks a strategic shift for the organization, offering subscribers live access to every numbered UFC event and Fight Night without additional pay-per-view costs, alongside a library of pre-fight docuseries, full-length replays, and archived fights. The main card is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m. ET, promising an evening of intense mixed martial arts action.
At the forefront of the event, the highly anticipated interim lightweight title bout pits the formidable power-striker Justin Gaethje against the surging fan-favorite Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett, entering the octagon with an impressive 23-3 professional record, is currently listed as the -238 favorite in the latest UFC 324 odds. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian has been on a dominant nine-fight win streak, culminating in a perfect 7-0 record since joining the UFC in 2021. Known for his charismatic "Baddy" persona and a dangerous submission game complemented by evolving striking, Pimblett aims to capture his first championship within the promotion. His diverse finishing abilities are evident in his record, boasting 10 victories by submission, seven by knockout, and six by decision. This fight represents his inaugural UFC title opportunity, a significant milestone in a career that began professionally at just 17 years old. Pimblett has proven particularly effective in Las Vegas, holding an undefeated 3-0 record in the fight capital, and has earned "Performance of the Night" bonuses in five of his last seven, including his most recent two appearances.
Across from him stands Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, the 37-year-old former interim lightweight champion, priced as a +195 underdog. Gaethje, with a record of 26-5, has demonstrated a remarkable resurgence, winning three of his last four contests. While his background includes NCAA All-American wrestling honors from Northern Colorado, Gaethje has built his reputation on an aggressive, high-octane striking style, with 20 of his 26 victories coming via knockout. He has only one career submission win and has never lost a fight by decision, highlighting his commitment to finishing opponents. Gaethje first claimed the interim lightweight strap at UFC 249 with a TKO victory over Tony Ferguson but subsequently fell short in unification bouts against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. His recent triumph over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 saw him capture the symbolic "BMF" title, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most consistently exciting fighters. In Las Vegas, Gaethje holds a respectable 3-1 record. The stylistic clash between Gaethje’s relentless pressure and devastating power against Pimblett’s unpredictable attacks and grappling prowess makes this interim title fight a compelling main event. Betting markets have set the over/under for total rounds at 2.5, with the "Over" slightly favored at -120, suggesting expectations for a competitive, potentially extended contest.
The co-main event promises another high-caliber matchup in the bantamweight division, featuring two top-five ranked contenders: Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong. Sean O’Malley, despite entering with an 18-3 record and reportedly suffering back-to-back defeats to Merab Dvalishvili, is favored at -218. O’Malley’s striking acumen and flamboyant style have earned him a significant following, and he will be eager to regain momentum against a dangerous opponent. His opponent, Song Yadong (22-8-1), comes in as the +180 underdog. Known for his crisp boxing and durability, Yadong has consistently proven himself a threat in the division, and a victory over O’Malley would significantly bolster his championship aspirations.
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For those seeking informed betting insights, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has released his detailed predictions and betting advice for UFC 324. Vithlani has established himself as a consistent and profitable MMA analyst since his debut in January 2023, notably starting with a perfect 5-0 record at UFC 283. His expertise has translated into over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card picks for SportsLine members. Among his significant calls, Vithlani correctly predicted Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card performance. Furthermore, his picks for UFC 299 included successful underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
Among Vithlani’s specific UFC 324 recommendations, he is backing Jean Silva (-205) to defeat Arnold Allen (+175) in a main card featherweight encounter. Silva, who had an impressive 5-0 start to his UFC career, experienced a setback in his last outing against featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes, suffering a knockout loss. Vithlani believes Silva, previously considered a rapidly rising prospect, is poised for a strong rebound. He notes that while Allen is an active southpaw kickboxer and a capable grappler, he is unlikely to hold the same ground advantage that Lopes did. Vithlani anticipates that Allen will need to rely on lateral movement and out-volume Silva with strikes, but warns that "one big right hand or left hook from Silva could change this fight instantly," underscoring Silva’s potent knockout power.
Beyond the headlining acts, the UFC 324 main card features several other compelling matchups. Heavyweights Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-345) and Derrick Lewis (+275) are set to collide, promising a clash of power in the division. In the women’s flyweight division, Natalie Silva (-310) will face former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (+250), with Namajunas seeking to re-establish herself as a contender in her new weight class. These bouts, alongside the Gaethje vs. Pimblett and O’Malley vs. Yadong contests, contribute to a stacked fight card designed to inaugurate the UFC’s new broadcasting partnership with Paramount+ on a high note.
The full UFC 324 main fight card and associated odds (subject to change) are as follows:
- 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)
As UFC 324 approaches, all eyes will be on the T-Mobile Arena, not only for the highly anticipated interim lightweight title fight and the bantamweight showdown but also for the broader implications of the UFC’s move to Paramount+, marking a new era for how fans consume the sport’s biggest events.
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