UFC 324 Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje Preliminary Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ

The UFC will make their debut on a new network Saturday night with a huge 13 fight card for UFC 324. The card has come with some controversy as the highly anticipated Womens title fight between Amanda Nunes & Kayla Harrison has been scraped due to injury.

Fans have no need to worry as the UFC still has tons of fire power left on the card. The lightweight title will be on the line in the main event between Paddy Pimblett & Justin Gaethje as Topuria has taken a leave of absence.

The 12 fights leading up to the Main event are all high level and provide huge entertainment value to the card. In a very important debut, the UFC has brought their A game in the first card of the year.

Saturday is quickly approaching so I have wrote this piece previewing all the fights on the Preliminary Card. On that note lets get right into it as fans are highly anticipating the return of fights after nearly a month off!

All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 1/21/2025 11:22 A.M

Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Featured Prelim: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo Preview – Bantamweight

The UFC is bringing the fireworks to cap off the preliminary card of UFC 324 with a massive match up in the Bantamweight division. Umar Nurmagomedov will look to continue his run back to a title fight when he takes on surging veteran Deiveson Figueiredo.

Nurmagomedov bounced back in a big way after the first loss of his career to former champion Dvalishvili. The prospect went on to dominate Mario Bautista for 3 straight rounds, showing off his wrestling and control on his way to a win.

Another big challenge stands in front of him with 2x Flyweight champion Figueiredo. The Veteran has also worked himself back into the title picture, going 3-2 in his last 5 fights.

The only 2 losses coming to current champion Petr Yan and the #2 contender in Cory Sandhagen. After the loss to Sandhagen, the veteran bounced back in a major way with a dominating performance over Montel Jackson at UFC Rio in October.

At the later stage of his career this could be his final chance to make a run for the title. In one of the toughest match ups he has ever had, the veteran will have to prove he has not lost a step and is deserving of a title shot.

The bantamweight title picture is entirely a toss up right now, with this fight likely deciding who gets the next title shot. The bout is sure to be a grappling affair as both fighters have high level wrestling and B.J.J skills.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo Odds:

• Moneyline: Umar Nurmagomedov (-1500) vs Deiveson Figueiredo (+850)
• Round total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-180) / Under (+157)
• Most Likely Method of Victory: Umar Nurmagomedov By Points (-125)

Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev Preview – Middleweight

A heavy hitting match up will lie on the Prelims of UFC 324. Ateba Gautier will take on Andrey Pulyaev in a 3 round bout Saturday night, that is sure to not see the judges scorecards.

Since joining the UFC, Gautier has made quite the splash and established him self as a real knock out artist. In his first 3 bouts with the promotion he has 3 knock out finishes in the 1st round, all coming within the 1st 3 mins.

Gautier is relatively green to the sport with just 10 fights, yet he has made strides in his skillset this early. The African prospect is certainly on the rise and has another great match up in front of him.

Pulyaev has had a great start to his UFC career as well. Going 1-1 in his 2 bouts with his only loss coming to a top ospect and being a very close bout in itself.

The Russian prospect is known for his long frame and slick kickboxing style, showing great striking in his last bout vs Nick Klein. In that bout he was able to finish Klein with body shots enroute to his first UFC victory.

A tall task stands in front of him with big power puncher Gautier in what is sure to be a striking affair. Will the surging prospect Gautier add another highlight reel knockout to his resume?

Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev Odds:

• Moneyline: Ateba Gautier (-650) vs Andrey Pulyaev (+475)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+186) / Under (-220)
• Method Of Victory: Ateba Gautier By KO/TKO (-600)

Nikita Krylov vs Modestas Bukauskas Preview – Middleweight

 

UFC Veteran Nikita Krylov will make his return to the Octagon Saturday night when he takes on Modestas Bukauskas. On a tough run as of late, Krylov is looking to get back into the Win column after dropping back to back fights.

Losing a couple fights in a row is one thing, but being knocked out in both opens a whole different dialogue. Krylov may only be 33 years old, but with over 40 fights on record he may just have to many fight miles on him at this point.

Fans across the globe are concerned with his chin at this point, seeing as he has been knocked out 3x now in his career. Despite his chin, Krylov has made a career with great striking and dominate wrestling.

He will finally get a little bit of step down in competition when he takes on Bukauskas who is still climbing the rankings. After being cut from the UFC, Bukauskas has since returned and is now 6-1 in his 2nd stint with the UFC.

During that run the prospect has now put together a 4 fight winning streak and takes aim at the top of the middleweight rankings. A power striker, volume has always been his biggest down fall.

This will be a huge opportunity for him as a big win over Krylov will shoot him up the rankings & into more meaningful fights. The South African prospect could solidify himself as a top 10 middleweight and possibly make a run for the title.

Nikita Krylov vs Modestas Bukauskas Odds:

• Moneyline: Modestas Bukauskas (-139) vs Nikita Krylov (+119)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-110) / Under (-110)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Modestas Bukauskas By KO/TKO (+130)

Alex Perez vs Charles Johnson Preview – Flyweight

Saturday night will mark a huge match up in the Flyweight division. Alex Perez will take on surging Charles Johnson in a fight to secure a top 10 ranking.

The last 5 fights have not been kind to Perez. Over the stretch he has fought "murderers row", going 1-4 in that span including an injury loss to Tatsuro Taira.

It should be said that his losses have only come to the top 3 contenders in the division. Now he gets a step down in competition and has a chance to truly showcase his skills with his back against the wall.

A big test will stand in front of him in the form of Charles Johnson. Johnson has been surging up the rankings, 5-1 in his last 6 bouts with all 6 coming in a 1 year span.

The prospect has been really active since joining the UFC and finally earned some time off. 5 months removed since his last bout, the longest inactive streak since his UFC signing.

I believe this could play a part in the match up here. Will Johnson look the same after some time off vs when he is taking fights every couple months ?

Alex Perez vs Charles Johnson Odds:

• Moneyline: Charles Johnson (-190) vs Alex Perez (+165)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-200) / Under (+174)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Charles Johnson By Points (+185)

Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez Preview – Lightweight

Michael Johnson will make his return to the Octagon Saturday night in a tough match up against Alexander Hernandez. The UFC veteran has had a lengthy career fighting some of the best the lightweight division has to offer.

Father Time has not treated him well though, with 3 brutal KO losses on his record and his chin only looking worse with age. The Veteran has made a name for himself for his quick hands and dirty boxing exchanges.

Now being being almost 40 years old, he may have lost a step and some quickness in his old age. This paves the way for power puncher Hernandez to find success in this match up.

Alexander Hernandez has put together quite an impressive winning streak as of late. Ripping off 4 wins in a row and seemingly finding his stride within the division, he has shown great improvement.

At the prime age of 30 years old I expect a big speed and quickness advantage here for Hernandez. A big KO win over a proven veteran like Johnson could shoot Hernandez up the rankings and into much more meaningful fights.

Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez Odds:

• Moneyline: Alexander Hernandez (-150) vs Michael Johnson (+130)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-150) / Under (+130)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Alexander Hernandez By Points (+175)

Josh Hokit vs Denzel Freeman Preview – Heavyweight

Denzel Freeman will make his 2nd walk to the octagon Saturday night when he takes on loud mouth Josh Hokit. After a dissapointing UFC debut lead to a close split decision win, Freeman will look to make a statement and prove he belongs on the UFC roster.

In his debut the volume was not a factor and the prospect seemed very gun shy. The striking disparity was wide and he did find success when actually letting his hands go.

Freeman's takedown defense did hold up in his debut, but he has another tall grappling test in front of him. Josh Hokit is a dominate wrestler and incredibly athletic for the HW division.

Since winning a contract on the contender series, Hokit has embraced the villain role. The prospect talks the talk and has since backed it up in the octagon.

Unlike his counterpart, Hokit shined in his UFC debut. The prospect made quick work of his opponent securing a first round finish.

On the first big UFC event of the year, it is clear both prospects have quite the opportunity in front of them. Which fighter will prove they belong and continue their run to the top of the division?

Josh Hokit vs Denzel Freeman Odds:

• Moneyline: Josh Hokit (-215) vs Denzel Freeman (+185)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-190) / Under (+165)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Josh Hokit By KO/TKO (+275)

Ricky Turcios vs Cameron Smotherman Preview – Bantamweight

Ricky Turcios has yet another tough test in front of him Saturday when he takes on fellow prospect Cameron Smotherman. The former Ultimate Fighter winner has had quite the start to his UFC Career.

On a tough run he has gone 2-2 since winning the Ultimate fighter and looking very green along the way. Turcios has shown some improvement despite 2 straight losses to top prospects.

Specifically showing off his heart and gas tank along the way, refusing to be finished and fighting to the final bell. Smotherman is not an easy outing for any fighter though, as he is also highly athletic with a big gas tank.

Despite also being on a tough 2 fight losing streak, Smotherman has shown great promise since upsetting Jake Hadley in his debut. At just 28 years old it is clear the prospect belongs and has a long career ahead of him.

In his last bout he showed off his takedown defense and his never give up attitude. Smotherman has very fast hands and uses his athleticism well to provide great footwork in striking exchanges.

This is sure to be a great match up between top prospects with the victor proving they deserve a new contract with the promotion.

Ricky Turcios vs Cameron Smotherman Odds:

• Moneyline: Cameron Smotherman (-182) vs Ricky Turcios (+157)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-260) / Under (+215)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Cameron Smotherman By Points (+110)

Ty Miller vs Adam Fugitt Odds – Welterweight

A fantastic match up opens the UFC's debut to Paramount Saturday night. Highly touted contender series alum Ty Miller will make his debut against UFC veteran Adam Fugitt.

Fugitt has had a tough stint in the UFC, fighting big power punchers and some big names in his first 5 fights with the promotion. Unfortunately they have not really gone his way, going 2-3 in that run.

The 2 wins came as a big underdog, surprising the sportsbooks and MMA betters across the globe. Fugitt has shown off his high level grappling skills despite showing the glaring weakness in his chin.

All 3 of his losses came by finish, a bad sign when your fighting another highly touted prospect with high level finishing ability. Ty miller will look to make a statement in his debut after not being able to finish on the contender series.

A very tall and long fighter, Miller uses his length to his advantage in most striking exchanges. High level boxing is the fore front of his skillset, with great counters and heavy hands to find the finish.

Over his career he has shown a glaring weakness that Fugitt could most certainly exploit, the grappling. Being so young in his career, Miller's takedown defense has not fully developed.

This could be a great test for Miller in his debut. Will Miller rise to the occasion to make a statement or will Fugitt play spoiler to a top prospect once again?

Ty Miller vs Adam Fugitt Odds:

• Moneyline: Ty Miller (-425) vs Adam Fugitt (+355)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-166) / Under (+146)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Ty Miller By KO/TKO (-130)

UFC 324 Schedule & FAQ:

When is UFC 324?

• UFC 324 will take place Saturday, January 24th, 2026.

Where is UFC 324?

• UFC 324 will go down live at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What time does UFC 324 start?

• UFC 323 Early Preliminary Card Start time: 5 p.m. ET
• UFC 323 Preliminary Card start time: 7 p.m. ET
• UFC 323 Main Card start time: 9 p.m. ET

How to Watch UFC 324?

• UFC 324 Early Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC 324 Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC 324 Main Card Coverage: Paramount+

How to Bet on UFC 324?

• Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber but click here for some sites and applications us bettors here at Betting News recommend for a great UFC betting experience.