The Paramount+ era has kicked off for the UFC, with UFC 324 marking their first numbered event of the year. This exciting card takes place on Saturday, January 24, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring a Main Event for the Interim Lightweight Championship, headlined by No. 4 Justin Gaethje versus No. 5 Paddy Pimblett.
The Early Prelims start at 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Prelims at 7:00 p.m. ET, and the Main Card begins at 9:00 p.m. ET, all available on Paramount+. Here are some top fighter suggestions for your daily fantasy lineup for UFC 324.
Check out your fantasy MMA lineups at DraftKings: UFC $600K UFC 324 Special [$200K to 1st]
Ateba Gautier ($9,700)
A rising star in the UFC, 23-year-old Ateba Gautier boasts a record of 9-1, with eight of his victories coming by knockout. After securing a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024, Gautier achieved three first-round knockouts in his introductory year in the organization. He’s currently riding an impressive eight-fight win streak, seven of which ended in the first round.
Gautier is set to face Andrey Pulyaev in the second-to-last Prelims fight at UFC 324. He averages 6.57 significant strikes per minute, nearly three more than Pulyaev. Both fighters stand 6’4″, but Gautier holds a three-inch reach advantage (81″ vs. 78″). Pulyaev is 28 years old, with a record of 10-3, including eight finishes, and is coming off a second-round knockout against Nick Klein in August 2025.
Despite not being a ranked fighter and competing on the Prelims, Gautier is the second-highest priced fighter on the card due to his elite performance, scoring over 100 fantasy points in all three of his UFC fights. While Pulyaev is talented, Gautier’s superior athleticism and striking skills should allow him to pressure Pulyaev and secure another significant win.
Paddy Pimblett ($8,900)
Paddy Pimblett has made a strong impact since joining the UFC, winning his first seven matches within the organization. His overall streak extends to nine wins dating back to his Cage Warriors days. His most notable victory came against Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April 2025. Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje has won three of his last four bouts and is a former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion, although he has faced setbacks in his last two official title defenses.
At $8,900, Pimblett is a valuable addition to your lineup, having scored over 100 fantasy points in two of his last three fights, with a low of 93.6 against King Green. In this matchup, Pimblett enjoys a three-inch reach advantage (73″ vs. 70″), although Gaethje is slightly taller (5’11” vs. 5’10”). Gaethje lands more significant strikes per minute but Pimblett excels on the ground, averaging 1.7 submissions per 15 minutes. With a versatile skill set, Pimblett, at six years younger, has a solid chance to defeat Gaethje and deliver a strong fantasy performance.
Derrick Lewis ($7,000)
Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis faces Waldo “Salsa Boy” Cortes-Acosta in a critical heavyweight bout. Cortes-Acosta is on a roll, winning seven of his last eight matches, finishing 2025 with a 4-1 record. Despite approaching 41, Lewis is riding a two-fight winning streak, his most recent victory coming against Tallison Teixeira.
Cortes-Acosta is an inch taller (6’4″ vs. 6’3″) but Lewis has the edge in reach (79″ vs. 78″). Although Cortes-Acosta averages more significant strikes per minute, Lewis is the more efficient and powerful hitter. At only $7,000, Lewis is a strong value pick, having recently produced a fantasy performance scoring 129.2 points, and achieving similar scores in two of his last four matches.
Don’t forget to set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups: UFC $600K UFC 324 Special [$200K to 1st]
