UFC 324 delivers a stacked card headlined by Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje for interim lightweight gold, with multiple high-stakes matchups and betting opportunities across the board.<\/p>\n
The main event of this card will see the #5 ranked lightweight take on the #4 ranked for the interim lightweight title.<\/p>\n
Despite many critics being vocal about Paddy The Baddy throughout his UFC run, he\u2019s now 6-0 in the organisation. Paddy is a through-and-through mixed martial artist, often dictating where the fight takes place. His strength of schedule can certainly be questioned, but a win here against a perennial top five contender and former interim title holder would be well regarded.<\/p>\n
Justin Gaethje is recognised as one of the most violent men in the UFC. Often disregarding his own safety, Gaethje throws himself into the fire. He\u2019s an explosive fighter, primarily a striker, throwing everything with ill intention. He enters this matchup at the back end of his career, announcing his last push for undisputed UFC gold.<\/p>\n
The queries over Pimblett\u2019s strength of schedule are fair as he takes on his toughest challenge yet, but Gaethje has his own worries regarding durability after all the wars he\u2019s been in at 37 years of age. I think it\u2019s fair to say Gaethje should get the better of the two on the feet, although it may not be as action-packed as we\u2019re used to. Expecting Paddy to sit at range, poking away with his kicks, waiting for an opportunity to drag Gaethje to the canvas.<\/p>\n
The jiu-jitsu difference here is vast and has been a proven pathway to beat Justin. Instead of playing Paddy at $1.45, I\u2019m more inclined to bet submission as I think it holds a lot of his win equity.<\/p>\n
Paddy Pimblett to win by finish ($1.72), Paddy Pimblett Submission ($2.30)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to envision O\u2019Malley using his length and elite striking to skirt around the outside, cruising to a decision win. His mental state heading into this matchup does need to be questioned, having suffered back-to-back losses and already dropping the R (retirement) word. Song Yadong is a proven tough out for most. Let\u2019s not forget he was a pick \u2019em with Yan and that fight went to a split decision.<\/p>\n O\u2019Malley\u2019s resume can be nitpicked with two losses to Merab. As far as I\u2019m concerned, he was gifted a robbery against Yan and gifted a free title defence against Vera. Can\u2019t take anything away from his Aljo win, however.<\/p>\n I\u2019m thinking how wrong can you be playing Song Yadong here. He\u2019s extremely powerful and durable. If he gets his wrestling going, which we\u2019ve seen him utilise more recently, this can be a very close fight.<\/p>\n Song Yadong ($2.65)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This is a high-level matchup between top 10 ranked fighters. The winner will throw themselves back into title contention with a comprehensive victory here.<\/p>\n Jean Silva comes into this fight after suffering his first UFC loss in a two-round war to Diego Lopes. Despite getting knocked out, Silva showed some impressive skills and resilience, having survived round one. A dry Diego Lopes in mount two minutes into the fight is a worst-case scenario, but it gives me confidence that Silva can at the very least survive on the mat against elite players. As for his striking, it\u2019s very cerebral and very damaging. He is elite in that department.<\/p>\n Arnold Allen is back, having not fought in 2025. A fan favourite in his own right, he\u2019s extremely well rounded. Generally, he likes to bang it out on the feet, utilising footwork effectively. His wrestling and jiu-jitsu is solid to say the least but is strictly used defensively.<\/p>\n I’m taking a strong liking to Jean Silva in this matchup as the fight should play out on the feet. To get the better of Jean in a striking affair you must possess elite durability and power. Considering he\u2019s coming off a KO loss, is the shorter fighter, and factoring in Allen\u2019s constant movement, I think Jean will build into the fight. It\u2019s proven to be a death wish trying to strike with Silva. Of his 16 wins, 12 have come by KO. I\u2019m predicting him to hand Allen his first KO loss. I don\u2019t think Allen can survive 15 minutes considering he has displayed a suspect chin at times.<\/p>\nSean O\u2019Malley vs Song Yadong<\/h3>\n
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva<\/h3>\n