UFC 324: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: Preview and Prediction

Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett meet this Saturday, headlining UFC 324, battling for the highly anticipated interim lightweight championship title. The matchup carries massive stakes as UFC 324 marks the first–ever UFC–Paramount card, driving worldwide excitement among fans.

Both fighters are confident, knowing a victory secures a future clash with Ilia Topuria for undisputed gold. Let’s see which superstar among these superstars has the better opportunity to win this Saturday.

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje is one of the UFC’s most violent and crowd-pleasing lightweights, built on relentless pressure, knockout power, and unwavering toughness. His all-action style and willingness to engage in wars quickly made him a fan favorite.

Gaethje captured interim gold with a dominant performance over Tony Ferguson, later delivering a career-defining knockout against Dustin Poirier. Despite suffering championship setbacks against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Gaethje rebounded by reaffirming his place near the top.

Now carrying veteran experience and renewed urgency, Gaethje enters the spotlight once again, confident in his ability to overcome Paddy Pimblett and reclaim his path toward undisputed lightweight gold.

Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett has built a memorable UFC run, emerging as one of the lightweight division’s most talked-about contenders. From his early appearances, Pimblett’s swagger, composure, and ability to thrive under pressure signaled he belonged on the sport’s biggest stages.

Pimblett made clear statements with dominant victories over Michael Chandler and Bobby Green, showcasing improved striking and dangerous submission threats. Fueled by momentum and unwavering self-confidence, the Liverpool native is convinced his rise toward lightweight gold is inevitable.

How to watch

For U.S. viewers, UFC 314 will stream exclusively on Paramount+, marking the new home of all numbered UFC events. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 24, live from Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena

UK fans can watch the fight card through TNT Sports Box Office or the Discovery+ platforms early Sunday morning. The move to Paramount+ ends the UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model, providing all main cards at no additional charge beyond the subscription.

SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment

Tale of the Tape

CATEGORY	Justin Gaethje	Paddy Pimblett
AGE	37	30
HEIGHT	5’11″	5’10″
REACH	70″	73″
PRO RECORD	25–5–0	21–3–0
FIGHTING OUT OF	Safford, Arizona, USA	Liverpool, England

Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett: Final Prediction

From a stylistic perspective, Justin Gaethje thrives in chaos, applying relentless pressure, leg kicks, and devastating power to break opponents mentally and physically. His durability, forward movement, and willingness to trade make him lethal early, especially against fighters who struggle with sustained violence.

Pimblett, however, brings durability, composure, and a dangerous submission arsenal that becomes increasingly effective as fights extend. While absorbing pressure early, Pimblett’s grappling transitions and opportunistic finishing instincts can exploit openings when opponents fatigue. As the bout progresses, Pimblett’s ability to survive exchanges, force scrambles, and capitalize on mistakes creates a clear path.

Final Prediction: Paddy Pimblett via submission in the 4th round.