UFC 324, the first UFC event under the Paramount+ era, will see former contender Justin Gaethje taking on the rising Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title.
Gaethje (26-5) is 3-1 in his last four fights. “The Highlight” has 20 wins via knockout and has already held interim gold in the past. A BMF Champion, Gaethje looks to position himself for a lightweight title fight before he retires.
Pimblett (23-3) is on a nine-fight win streak. He’s beaten former top contenders and champions on his way to the top. “The Baddy” is ready to prove the hype surrounding him is real.
Former champions are all over this card. Sean O'Malley returns to action against top contender Song Yadong. Rose Namajunas attempts to halt the momentum of Natalia Silva, while Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo face off in bantamweight action.
Here are AllSportsPeople' predictions on the entire UFC 324 fight card.
UFC 324 expert picks and predictions
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title
A smashing machine, Gaethje lands 6.59 significant strikes per minute, while Pimblett lands 5.19. Pimblett averages 0.96 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Gaethje absorbs 7.18 significant strikes per minute.
The damage Gaethje has sustained over the years is a cause for concern. It's especially true after Max Holloway knocked him out at UFC 300. Pimblett is fast and can strike at any moment, but can he hurt the durable Gaethje?
Like Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler, Gaethje’s best days may be behind him. However, he may be the toughest challenge of Pimblett's career. A prime Gaethje would give Pimpblett trouble. Though not the same, even a small percentage of a motivated Gaethje should be enough to secure the win.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Gaethje via TKO (round four)
Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong; Bantamweights
A former champion, O'Malley last fought in June, losing two straight against Merab Dvalishvili. He lands 6.30 significant strikes per minute and has a 61% strike accuracy mark. Yadong is 2-1 in his last three fights. He lands 4.58 significant strikes.
Yadong averages 0.61 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. O'Malley is susceptible to the takedown, as seen in his fights against Merab. However, Yadong may not go for the takedown, but try to outstrike O’Malley. That seems like a big mistake. The accuracy and volume with which O’Malley throws his strikes may be a problem for Yadong.
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It may take a while for O’Malley to return to form, but he should earn the win.
AllSportsPeople prediction: O’Malley via split decision
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis; Heavyweights
Cortes-Acosta lands 5.55 significant strikes per minute and has a 48% strike accuracy mark. Lewis lands 2.512 significant strikes, has a 50% strike accuracy mark, and averages 0.56 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
The battle of the big dogs. This could be a fun one.
Cortes-Acosta fought five times in 2025, showing his durability. Lewis can strike at any moment, but his opponent has proven to have a tough chin. In a battle of Goliaths, Cortes-Acosta should stand tall. Don’t blink.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Cortes-Acosta via KO (round one)
Rose Namajunas vs. Natalia Silva; Flyweights
Silva lands 5.04 significant strikes per minute and has a 46% strike accuracy mark. Namajunas, a former champion, lands 3.60 significant strikes, has a 41% strike accuracy mark, and averages 1.49 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
Namajunas was supposed to fight Alexa Grasso. She has looked solid at the flyweight level and could earn a title shot with a win. Silva looks to take down a third straight former champion in Namajunas.
The younger Silva is on the rise and has all the skills to outwork Namajunas. A “Thug Rose” win is possible, but AllSportsPeople believes in the future.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Silva via unanimous decision
Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva; Featherweights
Silva, who suffered a setback against Diego Lopes, lands 4.79 significant strikes per minute. He has a 51% strike accuracy mark and can submit opponents. Allen ended a two-fight losing streak with a win in 2024. "Almighty" lands 3.45 significant strikes and has a 42% strike accuracy mark.
Silva has been the more active fighter and has a lot to prove following a loss. Allen’s inconsistency may play a factor here. This could be a fun night, with Silva redeeming himself and The Fighting Nerds.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Silva via KO (round two)
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo; Bantamweights
A former title contender, Nurmagomedov lands 4.08 significant strikes per minute and averages 4.30 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. He landed eleven against Mario Bautista. Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion, lands 2.75 significant strikes and averages 1.71 takedowns landed.
Figueiredo finally found his groove at bantamweight following a two-fight losing streak. However, Umar is a bigger threat than Montel Jackson. Nurmagomedov has decimated the competition outside his fight against Merab Dvalishvili.
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While he may not ragdoll Figueiredo, Nurmagomedov should make a statement on his way to another title shot.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev; Middleweights
A Dana White's Contender Series alum, Gautier has won three straight fights via first-round knockout. He lands 6.57 significant strikes per minute. Pulyaev lands 3.81 significant strikes. He's susceptible to being punched and taken down.
Gautier has looked as scary as advertised. He's a monster and appears to be on his way to an impressive run. Pulyaev is in his way, and though Gautier needs a bit more seasoning, he should take Pulyaev out.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Gautier via KO (round one)
Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas; Light Heavyweights
Krylov lands 4.31 significant strikes per minute, while Bukauskas lands 3.32. The former also averages 2.17 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Both are the same height, while Krylov has a one-inch reach advantage.
Krylov is on a two-fight win streak after missing a year of action. Meanwhile, Bukauskas has won four straight, with three wins in 2025. There may be significant weaknesses in Krylov’s game, and Bukauskas should expose them by smashing away.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Bukauskas via TKO (round one)
Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson; Flyweights
Johnson lands 4.73 significant strikes per minute, while Perez lands 4.16. The former has a 49% strike accuracy mark, while Perez has a 45% mark. Meanwhile, Perez averages 2.28 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, with Johnson averaging 0.56.
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Two of Johnson's three wins have come via knockout. He's taken the opposition down each time. Perez has lost two straight via a finish and only has one win in six fights. Johnson is known to start slow, but given Perez’s recent “luck,” Johnson should take home the win in brutal fashion.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Johnson via KO (round two)
Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez; Lightweights
Hernandez has the slight edge in significant strikes landed per minute (4.31 compared to 4.28) and strike accuracy (40% compared to 39%). He also averages 1.14 takedowns landed per 15 minutes.
Johnson is on a three-fight win streak, outstriking the opposition each fight. Hernandez has climbed up the rankings with an impressive four-fight win streak. There's so much potential for Hernandez, who has improved with each fight. If he can use his wrestling and avoid sharp strikes from Johnson, Hernandez should walk out with the win.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Hernandez via unanimous decision
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman; Heavyweights
A Dana White's Contender Series product, Hokit lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute. He also averages 12.80 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, landing six in his octagon debut. Freeman lands 3.27 significant strikes and has four wins via knockout.
Known for a Colby Covington-like gimmick, Hokit has actually backed it up in the octagon. What's impressive: his explosive style and athleticism. Though Freeman will have a reach advantage, Hokit’s skills should be enough to secure a win.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Hokit via TKO (round two)
Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman; Bantamweights
Turcios lands 4.73 significant strikes per minute and has a 40% strike accuracy mark. He averages 0.91 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Smotherman lands 4.07 significant strikes and has a 37% strike accuracy mark.
Turcios has been out of action for a year. Smotherman is susceptible to the takedown, having been brought down nine times in three fights. Both desperately need a win. Turcios’ grappling may be too much for Smotherman, who has yet to impress in the octagon outside of overstriking.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Turcios via unanimous decision
Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller; Welterweights
Following one octagon fight, Miller lands 5.60 significant strikes per minute. Fugitt lands 4.59 significant strikes. He also averages 1.83 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Fugitt lost in the first round last time out after a year away.
Miller, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, hasn’t been tested in the octagon yet. That favors Fugitt, now refreshed and ready to go. Fugitt winning could and should be the first upset of the night.