After a relaxing holiday break, the UFC brings the action once more to the biggest stage in combat sports with its ground-breaking first event of 2026, UFC 324. Set to premiere on the company’s newest broadcast partner, Paramount+, the show will be headlined by an exciting interim lightweight championship tilt between two of the division’s hottest contenders in Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. Before that, however, previous bantamweight title-holder Sean O’Malley aims to get back within arm’s reach of the belt when he takes on Chinese phenom Song Yadong.
UFC 324 Main Event
In a thrilling culmination of a seven-fight winning streak in the organisation, Pimblett has emerged as a must-see-television fighter in the lightweight category. Undefeated since 2018, “The Baddy” has laid waste to a bevvy of stark opposition such as Tony Ferguson, King Green and Michael Chandler enroute to his first crack at UFC gold.
Since the time of his first bout with the promotion, Gaethje has always delivered a fan-pleasing experience whenever he steps into the cage, backed by his astounding nine Fight of the Night bonuses. Having once claimed the interim strap back in 2020, “The Highlight” is no stranger to high-stakes championship contests, as the American has also vied for the undisputed crown on two occasions as well.
UFC 324 Co-Main Event
In the not-so-distant past, O’Malley stood as one of the company’s top pound-for-pound athletes. Taking the belt from Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, the Tim Welsh protege enjoyed one successful title defence before being pushed off his throne in dominant fashion by Merab Dvalishvili. With his divisional rival no longer at the helm of the weight class, O’Malley is seeking to begin a new championship dynasty that will propel the Sugar Show to new heights.
A staple of the world-renowned Team Alpha Male gym, Yadong has consistently remained a fixture near the top of the pecking order at bantamweight for well over half a decade. Recently picking up the biggest win of his career over Henry Cejudo, “The Kung Fu Kid” can inch himself even closer towards a potential shot at the summit should he manage to topple the former 135-lb king.
More Bouts On the UFC 324 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, heavyweight juggernauts Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Derrick Lewis lock horns. Then, bantamweight contenders Natália Silva and Rose Namajunas come to blows in a match that could decide the next woman in line for a title opportunity. Finally, featherweight stalwart Arnold Allen faces off with the fan-favorite Jean Silva.
UFC 324 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC 324 picks and fight odds below.
- Hank Strandberg: 0-0
- Frazer Krohn: 0-0
- Drew Zuhosky: 0-0
- Jeremy Brand: 0-0
- Andrew Benjamin: 0-0
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Jean Silva -250
Vs.
Arnold Allen +210
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Silva by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Silva by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Allen by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Silva: 2
Staff picking Allen: 1
Natalia Silva -350
Vs.
Rose Namajunas +285
WOMENS FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Silva by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Namajunas by First Round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Silva by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Silva: 2
Staff picking Namajunas: 1
Waldo Cortes-Acosta -330
Vs.
Derrick Lewis +270
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Cortes-Acosta by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Lewis by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Lewis by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Cortes-Acosta: 1
Staff picking Lewis: 2
Sean O’Malley -200
Vs.
Yadong Song +170
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: O’Malley by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Song by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: O’Malley by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking O’Malley: 2
Staff picking Song: 1
Paddy Pimblett -222
Vs.
Justin Gaethje +187
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Pimblett by Third Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Pimblett by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Gaethje by Split Decision
Staff picking Pimblett: 2
Staff picking Gaethje: 1
