Scott Smith’s Top Plays for UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett

Jan 23, 2026

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

UFC 324 arrives as the first card of the year tests proven contenders against the sport's most volatile rising forces, anchored by a main event guaranteed to deliver fireworks. In the lightweight headliner, the relentless pressure and power of Justin Gaethje collide with the charismatic grappling wizardry of Paddy Pimblett—a fight that will either reaffirm a veteran's elite status or crown a new superstar. The stacked card features high-stakes battles across multiple divisions, including a bantamweight clash of styles between the enigmatic Sean O'Malley and powerhouse Song Yadong, while dominant grappler Umar Nurmagomedov looks to stifle the explosive ambition of former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo. Our analysis cuts through the hype with technical breakdowns and simulation-driven projections to isolate the most valuable betting opportunities on a night where chaos is the only guarantee.