This weekend, UFC action makes its return as the promotion presents UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The event will feature a highly anticipated clash between two lightweight fan favorites, with Justin Gaethje facing Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship, marking the first UFC fight card since December 13.
Gaethje, a former title contender, comes into this fight having secured victories in three of his last four bouts, including a unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev in his most recent Octagon appearance. He currently ranks No. 5 in ESPN’s divisional standings. Meanwhile, Pimblett, ranked No. 7 by ESPN, remains undefeated in the UFC, with his latest victory being a third-round knockout against Michael Chandler.
A panel featuring four former fighters, trainers, and analysts shares their predictions and insights for the main event of UFC 324.
Lightweight Interim Title Fight
Expert Opinions
Paddy tends to keep his chin up and lacks discipline. When facing a technical fighter like Gaethje, who throws punches over the top while lowering his head, maintaining distance for 25 minutes without getting hit is challenging for Paddy. While he may find ways to win, like landing a submission, taking Justin down is unlikely. even if Paddy possesses speed and utilizes his reach well, he cannot match Gaethje’s power. I lean towards Gaethje. — Dustin Poirier
I support Gaethje, although not without doubts. finally, his takedown defense will be crucial, as Paddy relies heavily on that threat to succeed. When Gaethje is determined to avoid being taken down, he effectively does so. Paddy is also quite hittable, and against someone like Gaethje, that poses a significant risk. I was impressed by Gaethje’s adaptability in his last bout with Fiziev. If this were four years ago, I’d confidently pick Gaethje, but despite his wear and tear, I’m still backing him. — Anthony Smith
Justin’s fighting style presents a tough matchup for Pimblett. Many believe Pimblett will submit him, but few have managed to take down and submit Justin other than Khabib Nurmagomedov. If Paddy attempts wresting, he’ll endure punishment. His tendency to stand tall plays into Justin’s strengths as he excels at landing overhand punches. If Justin executes his game plan, he could dominate. With improvements in his approach and the guidance of his coach, Trevor Wittman, they will be well-prepared for this fight. — Din Thomas
What plan will Paddy implement? If he resorts to his typical strategy of grappling, it will heavily favor Gaethje, a former NCAA Division I wrestler. His ability to escape takedowns is underrated. If Paddy chooses to grapple, Gaethje could land powerful uppercuts during exchanges. yet, if Paddy opts to strike, capitalizing on his reach with jabs and teep kicks, he might secure a five-round decision. — Michael Chiesa
