Overview
- Betting markets list Paddy Pimblett as the favorite, opening around -230, even as fighters and coaches remain split on the outcome.
- Dustin Poirier forecasts a Justin Gaethje stoppage, with Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker also backing Gaethje, while Ilia Topuria, Sean O’Malley and Alexander Volkanovski publicly pick Pimblett.
- Eddie Alvarez urges Gaethje to batter Pimblett’s lead leg with calf kicks, underscoring a tactical debate of Pimblett’s grappling routes versus Gaethje’s power and takedown defense.
- Pimblett vows to “put a beatdown” on Gaethje and says he welcomes either a quick finish or a five‑round war, as Gaethje has hinted this could be a final title run if he loses.
- UFC 324 is the promotion’s first numbered event of 2026 and its Paramount+ launch, with the interim belt created during Topuria’s hiatus and a unification bout expected later this year; Pimblett also says he will not accept January or February dates again and reports his weight cut is on track.