UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett

Main Card Preview & Slay House Predictions

Las Vegas. January 24. Violence with a purpose.

UFC 324 launches 2026 in classic Vegas fashion — loud, loaded, and dripping with consequence. The UFC’s first event under its new Paramount deal lands at T-Mobile Arena, meaning the whole world gets a front-row seat without the paywall drama.

And they’re not easing us in.

Headlining the night is a five-round interim lightweight war between a man who built his career on chaos — Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje — and the UK’s loudest rising export, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, fighting for the most valuable accessory in MMA: gold.

Back that up with Sean O’Malley trying to reassert himself as a bantamweight king, Derrick Lewis threatening to end someone’s consciousness, a former women’s champion fighting to stay relevant, and a featherweight brawl that could steal the show — and you’ve got yourself a real main card.

This isn’t a “good on paper” card.

This is a clear your schedule card.

Main Card Odds (DraftKings – Jan 23, 2026)

Fight	Division	Favorite	Underdog
Gaethje vs Pimblett	Lightweight (Interim Title)	Pimblett -230	Gaethje +190
O’Malley vs Yadong	Bantamweight	O’Malley -205	Yadong +170
Cortes-Acosta vs Lewis	Heavyweight	Cortes-Acosta -340	Lewis +270
Silva vs Namajunas	Women’s Flyweight	Silva -380	Namajunas +300
Allen vs Jean Silva	Featherweight	Jean Silva -258	Allen +210

Favorites are clear — but as MMA constantly reminds us, odds are just a polite suggestion.

Main Event

Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett

Interim Lightweight Championship

This fight is old-school violence vs. new-school swagger.

Gaethje is 37, battle-scarred, and honest about where he is in the story:This is likely his final shot at UFC gold.

Pimblett is 31, undefeated in seven UFC fights, sharper than he’s ever looked, and finally shedding the “hype job” label for something far more dangerous — legitimacy.

Gaethje brings chaos, leg kicks that sound like gunshots, and a career built on making people uncomfortable in their own skin.

Pimblett brings length, speed, submissions, and a modern game that doesn’t rely on standing still and trading until someone drops.

The Real Question:

Can Pimblett take Gaethje down and keep him there…

before Gaethje finds his chin?

Because Gaethje doesn’t need long.

He just needs one mistake.

Pimblett’s advantage is on the mat. Gaethje almost never shoots — despite his wrestling background — preferring to turn every fight into a car crash. That’s where Pimblett’s jiu-jitsu becomes the most dangerous weapon in the cage.

But make no mistake:

If this stays standing for extended periods, Pimblett is playing Russian roulette with a 357.

Slay House Take:

This is a generational crossroads fight.

Youth, versatility, and momentum vs. violence, experience, and pride.

If Pimblett survives the first two rounds and mixes in takedowns, he probably walks out champion.

If Gaethje clips him early, Vegas might need new lightbulbs.

Lean: Pimblett by late submission or Gaethje by nuclear KO.

There is no boring outcome here.

Co-Main Event

Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong

This is about identity.

O’Malley isn’t just fighting Song — he’s fighting irrelevance.

After losing his belt and then the rematch, “Suga” can’t afford another setback. At 31, he’s in his prime, but primes are only primes if you protect them.

Song Yadong is built like a wrecking ball and hits like one too — a pressure fighter with knockout hands and a growing wrestling game. He’s younger, hungry, and tired of being “the guy who loses to elite guys.”

Stylistically:

This favors O’Malley if he stays disciplined.

He’s longer, cleaner, and harder to hit than most at 135.

But if Song turns this into a firefight instead of a chess match, everything changes.

Slay House Take:

O’Malley by decision is the smart pick.

Song by TKO is the dangerous one.

And Slay House respects dangerous.

Heavyweight

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis

Every heavyweight fight has one rule:

Nothing matters until someone lands clean.

Cortes-Acosta is everything the UFC loves right now — young, active, technical, improving fast.Lewis is everything the UFC fears — because no matter how washed he looks, the right hand still deletes careers.

Lewis has more knockouts than anyone in UFC history.

And he only needs one.

Slay House Take:

Waldo should win.

Lewis might end it anyway.

That’s heavyweight MMA in one sentence.

Women’s Flyweight

Natália Silva vs. Rose Namajunas

This fight is the future testing the past.

Silva is fast, violent, and rising like a title contender should.

Rose is one of the most technically gifted champions the women’s game has ever produced — but at flyweight, she’s still searching for dominance.

Silva is younger, stronger, and built for 125.Rose is smarter, more dangerous when underestimated, and absolutely capable of stealing this fight if Silva hesitates.

Slay House Take:

Silva by decision — but Rose makes her earn it the hard way.

Featherweight Firefight

Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva

This is the fight real fans are circling.

Allen is surgical.

Jean Silva is explosive chaos.

One man survives storms.

The other creates them.

Slay House Take:

If Silva wins, it’s violent and early.If Allen wins, it’s because he dragged Silva into deep water and drowned him there.

Either way — bonus incoming.

Final Word

UFC 324 isn’t just a card — it’s a tone-setter.

This is the UFC telling 2026:

We’re not slowing down. We’re sharpening the blade.

From Gaethje’s last stand to Pimblett’s arrival, from O’Malley’s redemption to Derrick Lewis reminding us why heavyweights are terrifying — this card delivers violence with purpose.

If you’re betting, respect the underdogs.

If you’re watching, clear your night.

Because this one isn’t background noise.

It’s front-and-center, volume up, eyes locked.

And that’s exactly how Slay House likes it.