Alright, buckle up — this weekend’s UFC card is absolute madness. We’re talking fireworks, chaos, title implications, and matchups that feel like they were booked with zero regard for anyone’s blood pressure. UFC 324 (Gaethje vs. Pimblett) goes down Saturday night (Jan. 24, 2026) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and from top to bottom, this card screams violence. Thirteen fights. Big names. Rising stars. And multiple bouts that could end in a blink. This isn’t a “watch the main event and go to bed” type of card — this is an all-night commitment.
Main Card
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Title)
This is the ultimate “violence meets vibes” matchup: Gaethje brings pressure and damage, and Paddy brings chaos, confidence, and opportunistic grappling.
If Gaethje keeps it in the center and punishes the legs/body early, he can turn Paddy’s forward bursts into costly mistakes. If Paddy survives the first storm and turns this into clinch scrambles, he has a real path.
Pick: Gaethje by TKO (Round 3). The pace and power feel like too much over five rounds.
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong (Bantamweight)
This is the classic range sniper vs. fast, heavy-handed pressure boxer matchup. O’Malley’s best moments come when he’s touching you from the outside and making you overreach; Song’s best moments come when he closes the cage and makes it a phone-booth fight.
If Song doesn’t cut off the cage consistently, he’s going to get picked at for three rounds and feel like he’s always a step late.
Pick: O’Malley by decision. I think he wins minutes with movement, distance, and cleaner shots.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)
Heavyweight math is simple: if Derrick Lewis lands the “goodnight” punch, the rest of the stats don’t matter. Cortes-Acosta is smoother, steadier, and usually better at staying responsible—so the question is whether he can avoid the one mistake Lewis needs.
If Waldo stays disciplined and doesn’t get greedy in exchanges, he can outwork Lewis. But if he stands in front of him too long? That’s a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Pick: Derrick Lewis by KO (Round 2). I’m betting on chaos.
Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas (Women’s Flyweight)
This is a super interesting “new-school speed” vs. “high-IQ veteran craft” fight. Silva’s movement and volume can steal rounds fast, but Rose is excellent at making reads and turning a fight into a chess match.
If Rose can slow the pace with clinches and timing, she can win the kind of close rounds that decide fights like this.
Pick: Namajunas by decision. I think her composure and adjustments win her the back half.
Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight)
Allen is the kind of fighter who makes you feel like you’re fighting in quicksand—smart footwork, clean counters, and no wasted motion. Jean Silva brings aggression and that “I’m here to make this ugly” energy, which can absolutely work if he forces chaos.
If Allen keeps the fight at his pace, he should bank rounds with accuracy. If Silva drags him into wild exchanges, Allen’s margin gets thinner.
Pick: Arnold Allen by decision. Cleaner, calmer, and better over 15 minutes.
Prelims
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)
This is a banger on paper: Umar’s control, range, and grappling threats vs. Figgy’s explosiveness and “I only need one moment” power.
If Umar gets ahead early with takedowns and top control, he can turn this into a frustrating night for Figgy. But if Figgy tags him clean in a scramble? Everything changes instantly.
Pick: Umar Nurmagomedov by decision. I think he wins the consistency battle.
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
Gautier comes in with momentum and a style that looks built for highlight moments, while Pulyaev feels like the “tough test” type who makes you work for everything.
This one comes down to who controls exchanges—if Gautier lands first and often, he can take over fast; if Pulyaev drags him into longer sequences, it gets messy.
Pick: Gautier by KO (Round 2). I’m taking the sharper finishing upside.
Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas (Light Heavyweight)
Krylov is always action—he’ll grapple, he’ll brawl, he’ll take risks, and sometimes it’s beautiful and sometimes it’s chaos. Bukauskas can be clean and technical, but he can’t let Krylov dictate the weirdness.
If Bukauskas keeps range and picks shots, he can win rounds. If Krylov turns this into scrambles and pressure, he wins minutes.
Pick: Krylov by submission (Round 2). I think he forces grappling exchanges and finds a finish.
Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
This feels like a pace-and-pressure flyweight fight where whoever wins the scramble moments wins the round. Perez is dangerous when he’s sharp and explosive; Charles Johnson can be a nightmare when he gets rolling with volume and confidence.
If Perez can control the first half of rounds, he can bank them. If Johnson survives early and turns it into high-volume chaos, he can steal momentum.
Pick: Charles Johnson by decision. I like the volume and late-round activity.
Early Prelims
Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
This is the “who lands first and cleanest” fight. Michael Johnson can look amazing when he’s flowing, and Hernandez will absolutely push a pace that forces exchanges.
If Johnson’s timing is on, he can punish Hernandez coming in. If Hernandez mixes pressure with takedown threats, he can steal rounds with control.
Pick: Michael Johnson by decision. I’m trusting the cleaner striking over three.
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)
Two heavyweights with a lot of “something’s about to happen” energy. In these kinds of fights, cardio and composure matter way more than people expect—because the first guy who gets tired starts making mistakes.
Pick: Freeman by TKO (Round 1). I’m calling an early storm where one big exchange decides it.
Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman (Bantamweight)
Turcios fights like he drank three energy drinks and took it personally—tons of movement, scrambles, and unpredictable timing. Smotherman’s job is to keep it simple, stay balanced, and make Turcios pay for the chaos.
Pick: Turcios by decision. I think his pace and weirdness steal rounds.
Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller (Welterweight)
Fugitt is the more proven name here, while Miller comes in undefeated and dangerous—exactly the kind of setup where a prospect either announces himself or gets “welcome to the UFC” reality.
If Fugitt can make it gritty and force extended exchanges, he can test Miller’s gas tank and composure.
Pick: Fugitt by decision. I’m taking the experience edge in a close one.
My “don’t blink” fights
If you can only lock in for a few: Gaethje–Pimblett, O’Malley–Song, Umar–Figueiredo, and Lewis–Cortes-Acosta all have “this could swing in 10 seconds” energy.
