UFC 324’s heavyweight early prelim spotlight features undefeated prospect Josh Hokit taking on fellow debuting winner Denzel Freeman in a crucial grappling-heavy clash. Hokit looks to build on his spectacular UFC debut knockout, while Freeman seeks his second UFC victory after a decision win over Marek Bujlo. This 3-round early prelim fight could determine which heavyweight prospect emerges as a legitimate contender in the thinnest division.
Hokit brings a perfect 7-0 record with six finishes while Freeman enters with a 7-1 record and a recent unanimous decision victory. Hokit is around a -225 favorite with Freeman at roughly +185 as the underdog.
Here’s how we’re betting UFC 324: Hokit vs Freeman, including our UFC predictions, best bet, key props and an expert final verdict.
Mini Fight Info Strip
Event: UFC 324 – T-Mobile Arena
Weight class: Heavyweight bout
Fight length: 3-round early prelim fight
Date & time: Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Early Prelims 5:30 p.m. ET, walk time ~06:00 p.m. ET
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Odds updated: January 23, 2026 – 11:10 AM ET. Lines may move before fight night, especially after weigh-ins or late injury news.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats to Know
Before we get into the matchup, here’s a Tale of the Tape for Hokit vs Freeman.
Tale Of The Tape
Josh Hokit
Denzel Freeman
Record
7-0
7-1
Age
28
34
Height
6’1″
6’1″
Reach
73″
77″
Stance
Orthodox
Southpaw
Sig. Strikes Landed
5.12
3.27
Striking Accuracy
69%
62%
Takedowns
12.80
0.00
Takedown Defense
0%
0%
Submission Avg.
0.0
0.0
Hokit holds massive advantages in youth, striking volume, accuracy, and wrestling. Freeman counters with a 4-inch reach advantage and southpaw stance. The striking vs wrestling dynamic heavily favors Hokit’s offensive grappling given Freeman has never attempted a takedown in UFC. Both have untested takedown defense at 0%.
Fighter Breakdown – Josh Hokit Analysis
Hokit comes in with a perfect 7-0 record including a spectacular 56-second knockout of Max Gimenis at UFC Fight Night in November 2025. The 28 year old from California is a former NFL player (49ers, Cardinals) and 2-time All-American wrestler at Fresno State.
Strengths: Elite NCAA wrestling credentials with 12.80 takedowns per 15 minutes. Exceptional striking accuracy (69%) and volume. Former NFL athlete with explosive power. 6 finishes in 7 career wins. Devastating ground and pound from top position. Rare combination of wrestling pedigree and striking power. Never been past round two in his career.
Weaknesses: Zero takedown defense statistics (0%) raises questions against wrestlers. Only one UFC fight with 56 seconds of octagon time. Untested cardio beyond two rounds. Facing first UFC opponent who won’t fold early. Can be overaggressive hunting finishes.
Betting Angles: Hokit’s -225 moneyline is reasonable but offers limited value. Hokit by KO/TKO (+300) offers the best value given his finishing power. Fight doesn’t go the distance appeals given both men’s finishing tendencies.
Freeman brings a 7-1 record with a recent unanimous decision victory over Marek Bujlo at UFC Qatar in November 2025. The 34 year old is a former Marine Corps officer, Greco-Roman wrestler, and WWE developmental signee with an good combat sports background.
Strengths: Greco-Roman wrestling credentials and Olympic Training Center experience. Durable with only one career loss (controversial split decision). Strong rear-leg kicking game with head and body kicks. Never been finished in eight professional fights. Wide karate-style stance creates unique angles.
Weaknesses: Never attempted a takedown in UFC despite wrestling background. Poor cage control and backs up too easily. Lower striking volume than elite heavyweights. Took significant damage in Bujlo fight despite winning decision. Facing a good wrestler for first time in UFC.
Betting Angles: Freeman’s +185 moneyline offers value for his durability and kicking game. Freeman by Decision (+550) is the most realistic path if Hokit can’t finish. His Greco-Roman wrestling background could surprise if he chooses to grapple.
Hokit’s explosive power combined with Freeman’s defensive holes creates a knockout opportunity. Freeman took significant damage in his debut despite winning, showing vulnerability to power strikers. Hokit finished Max Gimenis in 56 seconds with a right hook and has 6 career knockouts.
While Hokit’s wrestling is elite, Freeman’s reach and kicking game force stand-up exchanges early. Hokit’s superior hand speed and accuracy should find Freeman’s chin before the wrestling takes over. At +300 (implied 25%), we think this hits closer to 35-40%, offering excellent value.
Both fighters have strong finishing rates. Hokit has never seen round three in his career, while Freeman has been finished once. Neither shows submission ability (both 0.0 avg), suggesting a knockout or TKO stoppage. Hokit’s wrestling could lead to ground-and-pound finish if striking doesn’t end it. At -180 (implied 64.3%), we think this finishes around 70% of the time, making it slight value.
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Small stake only. While neither has submission attempts in UFC stats, Hokit’s elite wrestling could create opportunities. His college wrestling credentials and six career finishes (3 via submission in earlier career) show grappling finishing ability. If Freeman survives early striking, Hokit’s top control could lead to rear-naked choke. Keep stakes at 0.5 units maximum.
Prediction – Final Verdict
Official pick: Josh Hokit by KO/TKO Round 2 (+300)
We are backing Hokit to stop Freeman in the second round. Freeman’s kicking game and reach should keep Hokit at bay early in round 1, potentially winning him the opening frame. We see Hokit adjust in round 2, closing distance and securing his first takedown.
Once on top, Hokit’s elite wrestling and ground-and-pound should overwhelm Freeman, forcing a referee stoppage. Freeman’s Greco-Roman background may proves insufficient against Hokit’s NCAA freestyle wrestling. This win will move Hokit to 2-0 in UFC and likely earns him a ranked opponent next.
How to Bet UFC 324: Tips for This Card
Beyond the Hokit-Freeman heavyweight clash, UFC 324 offers several compelling matchups that create both opportunities and traps for bettors.
Card Tips:
Heavyweight early prelims historically produce finishes. Fight doesn’t go the distance and method-of-victory props offer better value than straight moneylines.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo is heavily juiced with Nurmagomedov at -1600.
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong co-main features O’Malley looking to rebound from two straight losses.
I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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