UFC 324 Main Card is Live Tonight at 9:00 PM ET
All odds provided by DraftKings and UFC
(Main card picks listed at the bottom of the article)
Main Event Preview
UFC fans will replay their new year celebrations this weekend as the beloved leader in combat sports prepares to host its inaugural spectacle of 2026.
In the spirit of tradition, the organization has quite a significant resolution to implement with the flipping of the calendar. This Saturday, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, UFC 324 will mark the first time the octagon airs exclusively on Paramount Plus.
In August, the mixed martial arts promotion struck a $7.7 billion dollar deal with the media entity establishing Paramount as the streaming home for the UFC in 2026 and the six years to follow.
Introducing Paddy Pimblett
For a grand entrance onto the new platform, UFC matchmakers intentionally formulated a card with entertaining appeal.
Perhaps the most notable figure in Saturday night’s program, and one half of the headlining main event, is Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. In the absence of current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has temporarily withdrawn himself from competition, the English Pimblett will battle American Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje for an interim title.
It comes as no surprise that the UFC selected Pimblett as the representative to ring in the Paramount era. Upon entering the organization in 2021, Paddy The Baddy immediately attracted a wealth of fans through a certain silly charm.
His words are enveloped in a thick Scouse accent, and his sentences are peppered with witticisms. After victories, he dances playfully around the octagon, his long blond hair flopping atop his head.
As with any clever-tongued mixed martial artist with a charismatic personality, the comparisons to UFC legend Conor McGregor are often drawn.
However, unlike fellow “McGregor descendents” such as Suga Sean O’Malley (who will also touch the canvas on Saturday night), Pimblett possesses very different stylistic talents. He is not a precision striker with a long track record of knockouts, but rather a skillful grappler and dangerous submission artist.
Yet, despite the technical dissimilarities, Paddy The Baddy certainly benefits from a peculiar phenomenon which proved very much advantageous to his Irish predecessor. The characters of both Pimblett and McGregor are so entertaining and disarming, that opponents underestimate their fighting capabilities. It seems with every contest, and ensuing victory, Paddy silences an additional group of doubters.
His seven fight win streak has earned him the title opportunity at UFC 324, and the promotion seems to insist upon making the ultra-likeable Pimblett the face of such a momentous card.
Introducing Justin Gaethje
In spite of Paddy’s UFC success to date, it would be wise to pick up your pencils before writing him in as interim champion without any further consideration. Standing in the opposing corner is one of the greatest lightweights to ever step foot in the eight-sided cage.
Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje is an absolute bruiser. The nickname encapsulates his performance. Consistently displaying a willingness to engage in brutal exchanges, and very often inflicting opponents with significant damage, Gaethje has cultivated a reputation as perhaps the most destructive fighter on the UFC roster.
Additionally, this grizzled veteran is no stranger to the bright lights of title contention. The duel with Pimblett will be the fourth time Gaethje competes for a gold strap. Although he is yet to claim an undisputed title, the American warrior was crowned interim lightweight king in 2020.
Gaethje is on a mission to fulfill the full arc of his fighting legacy. With a victory at UFC 324, and a subsequent win over Ilia Topuria to unify the belts, The Highlight will have conquered the ultimate prize in mixed martial arts.
Fight Breakdown and Prediction
Casting personalities and resumes to the side, it is time to technically analyze the clash between Gaethje and Pimblett. The defining element in this contest will be range. Gaethje thrives in the pocket, landing his right overhands and uppercuts in close.
Contrarily, Paddy is best while maintaining long distance. As in the majority of his matchups, Pimblett will possess a considerable reach advantage over Gaethje. With lengthy arms and legs, the Englishman often dissects his competitors from the outside with a heavy dose of low kicks and jabs.
In counteracting the size and length discrepancy, Gaethje’s entries and advances must be well-timed and fundamentally sound. Pimblett throws very slick knees and kicks. Thus, if Gaethje puts himself in a vulnerable position while crashing the distance, Paddy will not hesitate to wield those weapons.
Furthermore, the American will likely implement a myriad of his patented low kicks. This technique has the potential to cripple the movement of Pimblett. Gaethje could more effectively pursue close-range attacks if Paddy is less elusive due to absorbing calf kicks.
The Club Underground crystal ball is pitching images of a fight consisting primarily of striking exchanges. However, it could be in the best interest of either one of these two fighters to grapple. By initiating clinches, Gaethje will find opportunities to fire combinations in a tight space. Opposingly, as a lethal submission artist, forcing the fight to the ground could result in a finish for Pimblett.
Ultimately, in regards to the visual product, a victory for the American will look very different from a win for the Englishman. A muddy dogfight will likely conclude with the belt wrapped around Gaethje’s waist. A championship performance for Pimblett will come in the form of a clean and calculated display.
As for the projected outcome…the size and youth of Pimblett overwhelms Gaethje.
“Paddy The Baddy” chants echo throughout the arena as Pimblett dances around the octagon with his gold prize.
Underground Pick: Pimblett wins by unanimous decision.
Complete List of Main Card Picks:
Lightweight Interim Title Fight: Justin Gaethje (+187 underdog) vs Paddy Pimblett (-180 favorite) – Underground Pick: Winner – Paddy Pimblett
Bantamweight Fight: Sean O’Malley (-200) vs. Song Yadong (+170) – Underground Pick: Winner – Sean O’Malley
Heavyweight Fight: Waldo Cortes Acosta (-334) vs. Derrick Lewis (+250) – Underground Pick: Winner – Waldo Cortes Acosta
Women’s Flyweight Fight: Natalia Silva (-400) vs. Rose Namajunas (+300) – Underground Pick: Winner – Rose Namajunas
Featherweight Fight: Arnold Allen (+225) vs. Jean Silva (-275) – Underground Pick: Winner – Jean Silva
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