After a lengthy break during the holiday season and for the majority of January, the UFC is finally back for a new year of exciting fights and likely several highlight knockouts. UFC in 2026 will feature a brand-new look, as the company has struck a TV rights deal with CBS and Paramount+.
The first card of the year is sure to be a banger, as Paddy Pimblett (23-3) and Justin Gaethje (26-5) headline UFC 324, with the lightweight title belt on the line. The co-main has no shortage of storyline in it either, as Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong will head to the octagon for a bantamweight clash. The rest of the undercard features Waldo Cortes-Acosta taking on Derrick Lewis in a fight surely to end in a knockout, Rose Namajunas will fight Natalia Silva, and to kick off UFC 324, Jean Silva will square off against Arnold Allen. Should be a jam-packed night of fighting action in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Let’s get into some predictions, odds, and how to watch the first UFC card of the year:
UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett How to Watch
With the new TV rights deal, UFC cards will no longer be Pay-Per-View (PPV) like they were on ESPN+,
How to Watch UFC 324: The early prelims and prelims can be watched on CBS or Paramount+, but to watch UFC 324, it’s required to have a Paramount+ subscription.
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 12: Paddy Pimblett of England reacts after defeating Michael Chandler of the United States by TKO in a lightweight fight during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Also, the card will be starting at 9:00 P.M. EST instead of previously beginning at 10:00 P.M EST.
UFC 324 Predictions & Odds
Dana White and the whole UFC crew understood the assignment with this card. Of course, the fighters have to go out and fight, but there’s so much interest in pretty much all of these fights, so let’s get right into some predictions.
All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, and subject to change.
Arnold Allen (+210) vs. Jean Silva (-255)
Jean Silva is the younger fighter with a little bit more to prove than Allen, which is likely why the betting line reflects towards Jean Silva, who is just 29 with a 16-3 record. Prediction: Jean Silva wins by a finish.
Natalia Silva (-340) vs. Rose Namajunas (+275)
I hope not to follow the trend of picking all favorites, because, as most UFC fans know, that is RARELY ever the case on how these fights finish. However, with that being said, Namajunas carries a bit of an ugly 15-7 record into this fight, and is the older fighter. Prediction: Natalia Silva wins by decision.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-330) vs. Derrick Lewis (+265)
There’s a high percentage chance this one ends in a knockout. Lewis is now 40 years old, and many are starting to question how much time he has left in the UFC. As great as Cortes-Acosta is fighting, Derrick Lewis is such a fighting legend, and maybe he has one more signature moment in his kid. Prediction: Derrick Lewis by KO.
Co-Main Event: Sean O’Malley (-215) vs. Song Yadong (+180)
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Perhaps the hardest fight on the card to predict. Sean O’Malley believes he desperately needs a win to stay relevant in Dana White’s eyes, but Song Yadong is a scrappy fighter who will likely try to take O’Malley down to the ground, which is where O’Malley has found himself in some troublesome spots over his career. Going with two underdogs in a row. Prediction: Yadong by decision
Main-Even: Lightweight Title Fight: Paddy Pimblett (-240) vs. Justin Gaethje (+198)
This line has moved in favor of Paddy “the baddy” Pimblett, but this is no doubt the most entertaining fight on the card (obviously). Justin Gaethje and Pimblett have been going back and forth all week with smack talk, and you can sense there is real bad blood between the two.
If you’re talking about betting value, Gaethje to win seems like the logical option. If you want to still ride Pimblett and try to suck some value out of it, you could go with Paddy by submission.
Paddy Pimblett comes in as the younger fighter with a longer reach, and with Paddy’s takedown average (0.96) and takedown accuracy (28%) being so strong, Justin Gaethje will have to try to stay on his feet for all five rounds, which will be difficult. However, Gaethje is one of the toughest fighters, which gives me enough reason to believe he will stick in there the whole fight and compete. Prediction: Paddy Pimblett by decision
UFC 324: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett Predictions, How to Watch First Fight Card of 2026