UFC 324: Gaethje and Pimblett Headline Historic Lightweight clash on Paramount+
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The UFC kicks off 2024 with a blockbuster event, UFC 324, marking the promotion’s debut on CBS and Paramount+. Headlining the card this Saturday from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is a highly anticipated interim lightweight championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The event promises a night of thrilling action, with several compelling matchups alongside the main event.
A Title on the Line: Gaethje vs. Pimblett
Pimblett (23-3) enters the fight as the clear favorite, currently priced at -235, while Gaethje (25-4) is available to bettors at +195. He’s won three of his last four fights, demonstrating his enduring power and resilience.
Gaethje, 37, brings a diverse skillset honed through a background in amateur wrestling, where he achieved All-American status at Northern Colorado. However, his success in MMA has largely been built on his devastating knockout power, with 20 of his 26 victories coming by way of KO. He’s never been finished by decision, a testament to his toughness and ability to dictate the pace of a fight. Despite falling short in previous title bids against Khabib nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, and previously holding the symbolic “BMF” title after defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, Gaethje remains a dangerous opponent.
Pimblett, 31, transitioned to lightweight in 2018 after competing at bantamweight and featherweight for over five years. As then, he’s been nearly unstoppable, winning 10 of 11 bouts and boasting a perfect 7-0 record since joining the UFC in 2021. His versatility is evident in his finishing methods – 10 submissions, seven knockouts, and six wins by scorecard. He’s also proven to be comfortable in Las Vegas, holding a 3-0 record in the city, while Gaethje is 3-1.
Co-main Event and Beyond: O’Malley vs. Yadong and More
The co-main event features a bantamweight clash between Sean O’Malley (18-3) and Song Yadong (22-8-1). Despite consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili,O’Malley is favored at -205,while Yadong is priced at +170.
Further down the card, fans can anticipate exciting matchups including Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-355) versus Derrick Lewis (+270), natalie silva (-355) against Rose Namajunas (+280), and Arnold Allen (+200) taking on Jean Silva (-245).
Expert Picks and Betting Insights
For those looking to make informed bets, MMA expert Daniel Vithlani of SportsLine has provided detailed analysis and predictions. Vithlani has a proven track record, boasting a $1,500 profit on UFC main-card picks as January 2023, including correctly predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 and underdog wins for Dustin Poirier and Michael Page at UFC 299.
One of Vithlani’s key picks for UFC 324 is backing Nikita Krylov (+120) over Modestas Bukauskas (-142) in a light heavyweight preliminary bout. “Krylov seems very focused in this training camp and is still only 33 years old,” Vithlani explained. “If Krylov can find his old form, his MMA game will be a lot more diverse than Bukauskas. If krylov can mix in his grappling, he will threaten with chokes and ground and pound to win this fight.”
How to Watch UFC 324
UFC fans can now stream every numbered event and UFC Fight Night live with a Paramount+ subscription, eliminating the need for costly pay-per-view purchases.The service also offers access to pre-fight docuseries, full-length replays, and archived fights.
The main card for UFC 324 is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, promising an action-packed start to the UFC’s 2024 schedule. fans can find detailed picks and analysis from Vithlani at SportsLine to help them navigate the betting landscape.
