An interim lightweight title bout headlines the first UFC fight card of 2026 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Former interim champion Justin Gaethje faces No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett.
Undisputed titleholder Ilia Topuria announced in November that he was taking time off to deal with some personal issues and the fight promotion opted to crown an interim champion in his absence.
Two-time featherweight champion and former two-time lightweight title challenger Alexander Volkanvoski broke down the matchup and gave his prediction for the UFC 324 interim title fight.
“I’ve picked against Paddy Pimblett a few times, right? I’m going to stop doing that,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “Not only because he’s proved me wrong so many times, but in his last couple of fights I’ve seen great strategy, footwork, distance management, good understanding of danger, the danger threat, and having the right options, or the right strategy around dealing with that. He’s shown me that in his last couple of fights. And I think he’s going to need that against Gaethje.”
“This is tough. This is a very tough one because Gaethje, I feel like I can’t see Paddy finishing Gaethje,” continued Volkanovski. “I feel like it’s going the five rounds. Can he do this for five rounds? This is what’s tough. This is what’s a hard one for me. I think I can see it, but can I see it for five rounds? That’s tough.”
Related: Dustin Poirier gives his UFC 324 main event prediction
Pimblett predicted that the fight doesn’t get past the third. Gaethje said he plans to teach “The Baddy” a lesson on Saturday.
“This is a tough one, but I’m going to go with Paddy. I’m going to go with Paddy because like I said, I’m tired of picking against him. He’s proved me wrong many times and he’s shown me that he can work a game plan,” said Volkanovski.
“I’m picking Paddy. I’m gonna pick Paddy, decision win. Maybe he could get a submission. Could happen. Decision win I’ll say. Paddy Pimblett for the win.”
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