UFC 324: The biggest stage yet for Paddy Pimblett
Michael Bolton
The interim lightweight title is up for grabs in the main event of UFC 324 as Justin Gaethje takes on Paddy Pimblett in Las Vegas.
Two men who are at very different points in their careers, Illa Topuria awaits the winner while he takes time away from the sport.
For Pimblett, this is the biggest fight of his career. The Liverpool fighter's last bout was a win over Michael Chandler last April, showing he belongs with the elite of the division.
A fan favourite who always brings excitement, Pimblett will aim to keep this fight on the ground for as long as possible and will take advantage of any submission opportunity that comes his way.
While he is improving on the feet, standing and striking with Gaethje is something many people have not been able to tell the story about after.
[caption id="attachment_1856986" align="alignnone" width="896"] Photo: Sofascore.[/caption]
A fighter who brings the entertainment regardless of how the fight goes, Gaethje knows he is on the final stretch of his career.
After being knocked out in the last second by Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje responded by defeating Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.
The hardest puncher at 155 pounds, Gaethje can win via knockout and will look for no other route for victory.
However, if he gets reckless, Pimblett will take advantage and force Gaethje into his world of wrestling.
In the co-main of UFC 324, Sean O'Malley will hope to get back on track when he faces Song Yadong.
O'Malley is on a two-fight losing streak, where he was overpowered and wrestled to defeat by former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
In normal circumstances, this would be a long road back to a title shot for O'Malley.
However, following Petr Yan's win in December over Dvalishvili, O'Malley could be back in the mix with an impressive win on Saturday night.
Standing across from him on Saturday is Yadong, who could shake up the division with a shock victory.
A fight likely to be on the feet for the duration, O'Malley's reach and timing could be the difference.
Elsewhere at UCE 324, the next contender in the women's flyweight division could be the winner of Natalia Silva and Rose Namajunas.
Also in the men's bantamweight division, Umar Nurmagomedov takes on Deiveson Figueiredo, with victory for the Russian fighter possibly giving him a title shot.
