UFC 324 Predictions: Cortes-Acosta vs. Lewis, Silva vs. Namajunas, Allen vs. Silva Odds
This event is set to take place on Saturday, January 24th and will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC 324 also marks the debut of the UFC on Paramount+, following the massive deal that was finalized last year. The event will feature a total of 13 fights across the preliminaries and main card, with the action starting at 5:00 PM ET
UFC 324 Preview and Predictions
My article will break down three of the fights on the card, which will include my best bet for each one.
UFC Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis best bet: Over 1.5 Total Rounds (-150)
My first best bet for UFC 324 will target the Main Card fight between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Derrick Lewis. Cortes-Acosta enters this fight with an MMA record of 16-2 and 10-2 in the UFC. His fighting style revolves around striking, as he averages 5.55 significant strikes per minute and 0.35 takedowns every 15 minutes.
As for Lewis, he has a 29-12 overall MMA record, which includes 20-10 in the UFC. His fighting style is more balanced, averaging 2.51 significant strikes per minute and 0.56 takedowns every 15 minutes.
While both fighters have first-round knockout power, Lewis has seen two of his last three fights go over 1.5 rounds, while Cortes-Acosta has seen five of his last seven UFC fights do the same. Because of this, backing this fight to go over 1.5 rounds is the play.
UFC Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas best bet: Silva Win by Decision (-225)
Natalia Silva enters this fight as a heavy favourite with an MMA record of 19-5-1 and a perfect 7-0 mark in the UFC. She is a striker, averaging 5.04 per minute with only 0.34 takedowns every 15 minutes.
Rose Namajunas is a bit more balanced in her fighting style. Boasting a 15-7 overall MMA record and a 12-6 UFC record, Namajunas averages 3.60 strikes per minute and 1.49 takedowns every 15 minutes.
Silva has won five of her seven UFC fights by decision, including her last four UFC fights in a row. Meanwhile, Namajunas’ last seven UFC fights have gone to decision, three of which she lost. Expect that trend to continue, and back Silva to win by decision.
UFC Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva best bet: Fight to go the Distance – No (-130)
My final bet for UFC 324 will target the fight between Arnold Allen and Jean Silva. Allen has made the most of his career, carrying a 20-3 overall MMA record and an 11-2 UFC mark. Silva has found similar success at 16-3 and 6-1, respectively. This has all the makings for a great fight.
Only two of Allen’s last five UFC fights ended inside the distance, but Silva has been an inside-the-distance machine, with all six of his recent fights ending before the judges get involved. I expect that trend to continue and for Silva to push the pace. At -130, betting this fight to end inside the distance is my preferred method of attack.
