Paddy Pimblett is set for his first shot at UFC gold later this evening when he takes on former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
Paddy Pimblett faces his toughest challenge to date when he takes on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas.
An undisputed showdown with Ilia Topuria awaits the winner. While Pimblett will no doubt be itching to get his hands on his long-time rival, he must first take care of business at UFC 324 later this evening. The 31-year-old has slowly emerged as a genuine contender these past few years and comes into the mammoth dust-up off a dominant knockout victory over former Bellator champion Michael Chandler.
Gaethje – despite failing in his two attempts at undisputed glory – has experience at the top level and has gone head-to-head with many legendary names over the years. The knockout artist is well and truly in his twilight years, but the ex-interim champion still believes he possesses the skill set and the power to shut yet another foe’s lights out. And so, here is everything you need to know ahead of the UFC 324 main card…
Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
As Pimblett likes to say, ‘the goal posts get moved’ after every fight. However, should he come away with his belt wrapped around his waist later this evening, no one can deny him anymore. The Scouse scrapper continues to face criticism over his skill set and his place among the top five at 155lb. But should he brutally dismantle the former interim lightweight champion, not only will England have a real star on their hands, but he will well and truly deserve his status as one of the best fighters in the division. For Gaethje, this may be his last run at undisputed glory, so he will be looking to leave it all in the octagon.
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong
After Kayla Harrison was forced to pull out of her super-fight with Amanda Nunes, Sean O’Malley’s blockbuster bout with Song Yadong was bumped up to co-main. O’Malley has a real point to prove following back-to-back defeats to Merab Dvalishvili. But, stylistically, he will be happy with his match-up with Yadong. The Chinese star is a stand-up specialist – which ‘Suga’ prefers – and it well and truly makes for an epic fight. With that being said, Yadong, is no walk in the park and could cause O’Malley some issues. Should the former bantamweight title-holder score a statement finish, he may book himself a rematch with champion Petr Yan later this year.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis
Fan-favourite Derrick Lewis is back in action, and will be looking to extend his record for most number of knockouts in the UFC to 17. The ‘Black Beast’ brutally stopped rising star Tallison Teixeira in his last appearance and will be looking to stop yet another surging contender in Las Vegas. Waldo Cortes-Acosta has grabbed recent opportunities with both hands and could find himself in a position to be calling for a shot at the heavyweight title with a win over Lewis. Cortes-Acosta needed just over a minute to render Shamil Gaziev in his last bout back in November – just a few weeks after stopping Ante Delija.
Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas
Natalia Silva is seen as the next challenger for Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight title. But she must first get through a tough test in former two-time strawweight champion, ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas. Silva has been on an absolute tear since signing with the UFC back in 2022, and has not lost a fight since a decision loss to Marina Rodriguez back in 2017. Namajunas will be looking to make it back-to-back wins after getting back in the win column in her last outing against Miranda Maverick back in June. The 33-year-old herself also has aspirations of fighting for UFC gold again, and will be itching to spoil Silva’s plans on fight night.
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva
After nearly two years away from the cage, Arnold Allen is back, but faces a tough test on his return to the Octagon. The Suffolk scrapper has not fought since outpointing Giga Chikadze on home soil back in July 2024. A brutal shoulder injury forced him to take a long hiatus from the sport, but a win this evening in Sin City could see him back in discussions over a potential title shot. Jean Silva, though, will have the bit between his teeth after tasting defeat inside the UFC cage for the first time in his last appearance against Diego Lopes.
Prelims
- Deiveson Figueiredo vs Umar Nurmagomedov
- Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev
- Modestas Bukauskas vs Nikita Krylov
Early Prelims
- Alex Perez vs Charles Johnson
- Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez
- Josh Hokit vs Denzel Freeman
- Ricky Turcios vs Cameron Smotherman
- Adam Fugitt vs Ty Miller
