TLDR
- Paddy Pimblett is the heavy favorite at -239 to win the interim lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at +195
- UFC 324 marks the promotion’s first event under a new $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount+
- The fight takes place Saturday, January 24 at 9 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
- Expert predictions are split, with some favoring Gaethje’s power and experience over Pimblett’s undefeated UFC record
- Sean O’Malley faces Song Yadong in the co-main event at -205
UFC 324 Main Event Odds
Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Championship)
- Justin Gaethje: +195
- Paddy Pimblett: -239
UFC 324 Full Fight Card Odds
Preliminary Card
- Nikita Krylov (+120) vs Modestas Bukauskas (-142)
Fight Time and Broadcast Information
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 Main Card Start Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. GMT (Sunday) Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Stream: Paramount+ (no pay-per-view required)
UFC 324 brings the first major card of 2026 to Las Vegas this Saturday. The event features an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at T-Mobile Arena.
Pimblett enters as the betting favorite at -239. The Liverpool fighter holds a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC and a 23-3 overall mark. He comes off recent wins over Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler.
Gaethje stands at +195 as the underdog. The 37-year-old former interim champion holds a 26-5 record. He won three of his last four fights but suffered a knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024.
The fight marks a first for both the UFC and its fans. UFC 324 is the promotion’s debut event under a new seven-year deal with Paramount. The $7.7 billion contract gives CBS and Paramount+ exclusive rights to 30 Fight Nights and 13 major events each year starting in 2026.
Paramount+ will stream all UFC content without pay-per-view fees. This doubles what the promotion earned from its previous ESPN deal.
Tale of the Tape
Gaethje brings power and experience to the octagon. The American has scored 20 knockouts in 26 wins. He holds a 68 percent takedown defense rate.
His wrestling background includes NCAA All-American honors at Northern Colorado. At 37, concerns exist about the damage accumulated over his career.
Pimblett relies on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. He has won 10 fights by submission. The 31-year-old has also scored seven knockouts and six decision victories.
Pimblett stands 5 feet 10 inches with a 73-inch reach. Gaethje measures 5 feet 11 inches with a 70-inch reach. Both fighters compete at 155 pounds.
Expert Predictions Split
ESPN analysts unanimously picked Gaethje to win. They cite Pimblett’s defensive gaps and chin position as vulnerabilities. Dustin Poirier noted that Gaethje’s power poses a threat over 25 minutes.
CBS Sports favored Pimblett. They pointed to his length, grappling creativity and dynamic top game. The outlet questioned whether Gaethje’s body can handle the wear at age 37.
Sporting News predicted a fourth-round TKO for Gaethje. BetMGM also backed Gaethje by knockout. Both noted his superior striking power and far greater experience against top contenders.
Co-Main Event and Undercard
Sean O’Malley returns to action against Song Yadong in the co-main event. O’Malley stands at -205 despite losing his last two fights to Merab Dvalishvili. Yadong enters at +170 with a 22-8-1 record.
The heavyweight division features Derrick Lewis taking on Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Lewis is a major underdog at +270. Other main card bouts include Rose Namajunas versus Natalie Silva and Arnold Allen against Jean Silva.
Expert Daniel Vithlani backed Nikita Krylov at +120 over Modestas Bukauskas on the preliminary card. Krylov ranks 13th in the light heavyweight division. Cameron Smotherman’s scheduled fight was canceled after a weigh-in incident.
