On the UFC 324 Prelims, one of the most exciting prospects in the promotion, Ateba Gautier, returns to face Andrey Pulyaev in a three-round Middleweight bout. Gautier went 3-0 in 2025, his first year in the UFC. In his career, Gautier is 9-1 with eight knockouts and has won eight consecutive fights by knockout in the first or second round since his lone loss in July 2022. Pulyaev, 28, is 10-3 with eight finishes and picked up his first UFC victory against Nick Klein in August 2025.
Check out my best bet for Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 324 Prelims.
Ateba Gautier Round 1 (-115)
Gautier has dominated everyone in his path so far in the UFC and looks like a future title challenger. In this fight, Gautier is taller by three inches (81″ vs. 78″), with both fighters standing 6’4″. Through his first three fights in the UFC, Gautier has landed 6.57 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent rate. Also, Gautier is defensively sound, only allowing 1.95 significant strikes per minute to opponents.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Gautier is a -1000 favorite with Pulyaev being a +650 underdog. Since eight of Gautier’s nine victories have come by knockout, he is -550 to win by KO/TKO/DQ against Pulyaev. Gautier has the longer reach, which should benefit him in this contest as it will allow him to pressure Pulyaev while using his tremendous striking ability. Gautier has one-punch knockout power and can put anyone’s lights out at any given time. Since seven of his previous eight wins have come in the first round, getting him to win in Round 1 at -115 is an excellent play.
