Sports
Tony Ferguson Backs Paddy Pimblett to Beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
With 2025 officially behind us, all eyes now turn to 2026, and in the UFC world, we don’t have to wait long for our first huge fight of the year, as at UFC 324, Justin Gaethje will share the cage with Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title.
The first numbered event of the year takes place on the 24th of January at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Not only is it the first numbered event of 2026, it’s also likely to be the first UFC card broadcast under the new media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance, following the conclusion of their deal with ESPN.
The main event will see American Gaethje take on Brit Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship after it was vacated by former champion Ilia Topuria, who is taking time away from the cage due to personal reasons, widely believed to be to deal with his divorce and legal matters involving his now ex-wife.
With Topuria not ready to fight in the first quarter of 2026, by his own admission, he decided to step down as champion, rather than hold up the division. This now presents a perfect oppurtiny for both Gaethje and Pimblett to get their hands on some gold to kickstart their new year.
Tony Ferguson Makes UFC 324 Prediction
If you’re looking for anyone to discuss the upcoming UFC 324 main event, then look no further than Tony Ferguson, a man who has shared the cage with both Gaethje and Pimblett.
The 41-year-old first fought Gaethje back at UFC 249 on the 9th of May 2020, a fight he lost via TKO in round five. Three years later, he got inside the Octagon with Pimblett, also losing that fight, but this time via unanimous decision. That bout took place at UFC 296.
While speaking to leading MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani, Ferguson broke down the upcoming UFC 324 fight, and he made it clear who he thinks will win the fight, and why.
”Paddy wins, only because Justin doesn’t want another interim belt.
“Paddy’s not bad, dude. Paddy’s not bad. He’s very beatable. And Gaethje is very beatable as well. But when it goes into the passion and how upset Justin Gaethje has always been about not getting that real title shot, and they just keep dangling it right there again. I mean, Paddy’s in for a new treat, right? Paddy’s the one that’s never fought for a belt.
”So if I was going to the book, and I was going to try to place the bet, I mean, I would go with the new kid that’s going in there and that’s going in there for the new opportunity, rather than the old kid that fought for the belt, disrespected it, threw it on the ground.
“In my mentality, that’s how he’s going to be again. That’s going to go for Paddy, in my opinion. So best of luck for both of them and knock each other out.”
UFC 324 Card
Elsewhere on the card, the co-main event will see the returning Amanda Nunes fight for the women’s bantamweight strap as she takes on Kayla Harrison, meanwhile, Sean O’Malley will return to the cage to fight Song Yadong.
Rounding off the main card, as things stand, is Waldo Cortes-Acosta taking on Derrick Lewis, and Arnold Allen fighting Jean Silva.
