Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev: Odds & AI Pick

# Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev Fight Analysis

## Event Details  
**Date & Time:** January 25, 2026 (Preliminary Card, approx. 8:00 PM PT)  
**Location:** T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  
**Weight Class:** Middleweight (185 lb)  

The preliminary portion of UFC 324 headlines a compelling **Middleweight** clash between surging Cameroonian knockout artist **Ateba Gautier** and hard-hitting Russian contender **Andrey Pulyaev**. Scheduled for the evening of January 25th at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this bout pits the 23-year-old Gautier—a dynamic striker who burst onto the UFC scene with three straight first-round stoppages—against 27-year-old Pulyaev, a former sambo standout whose ten professional wins include five knockouts.

This fight represents a true “prospect vs. prospect” battle, with both athletes still carving out their legacies at the Octagon’s 185-pound limit. **Ateba Gautier** made waves with his debut on March 29, 2025, methodically dismantling Jose Daniel Medina in just over three minutes. Since then, he has added emphatic TKO victories over Robert Valentin Frey and Treston Vines, boasting a perfect 9-1 record, eight KO wins and an astonishing seven first-round finishes. His lightning-fast hands, 61% significant striking accuracy and flawless 100% takedown rate have bettors and pundits enthralled.

On the opposite corner stands **Andrey Pulyaev**, who debuted in the UFC on March 22, 2025. The Chita-born grappler pairs Sambo pedigree with improving MMA fundamentals. Although his most recent outing resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Christian Leroy Duncan, Pulyaev rebounded in August 2025 with a savage second-round knockout of Nick Klein. His all-around skill set—60% striking accuracy, respectable takedown defense (64%) and power in both hands and submissions—makes him a dangerous underdog capable of derailing Gautier’s hype train.

## Betting Odds & Matchup Narrative  
Oddsmakers have made **Ateba Gautier** a substantial favorite, with prices hovering around **–900 to –1,200** (BetRivers: –910, Caesars: –1,000, BetMGM: –1,200). In contrast, **Andrey Pulyaev** carries underdog status at roughly **+500 to +600** across major books (BetOnline.ag: +500, BetRivers & Caesars: +600). The moneyline gap reflects Gautier’s devastating early-round finishing rate and Pulyaev’s relative inexperience on a stacked prelim card.

This matchup boils down to a clash of styles: Gautier’s explosive, distance-attacking arsenal versus Pulyaev’s mix of Sambo throws and knockout power. Will Gautier steamroll his opponent with first-round fury, or can Pulyaev weather the storm, engage in the clinch and capitalize on fatigue? Fight fans and bettors alike will be keenly watching grappling exchanges, mid-fight adjustments and each man’s ability to impose his preferred pace.

As the Vegas lights illuminate T-Mobile Arena on January 25th, expect fireworks from the opening bell. Whether you’re loading up on the chalk or hunting for value with the underdog, this preliminary headliner promises high drama and potentially career-defining moments for both **Ateba Gautier** and **Andrey Pulyaev**.  

Live odds

Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Gaethje vs Pimblett can be found on the Gaethje vs Pimblett event page.

## Matchup & Fighter Profiles

### Ateba Gautier – “Le Taureau”  
**Age:** 23  
**Country:** Cameroon (Yaoundé)  
**Fighting Style:** Elite Striker / Knockout Artist  

**Recent Form (UFC):**  
- **Oct. 4, 2025:** def. Treston Vines via TKO (Round 1, 1:41)  
- **July 19, 2025:** def. Robert Valentin Frey via TKO (Round 1, 1:10)  
- **Mar. 29, 2025:** def. Jose Daniel Medina via TKO (Round 1, 3:32)  

Gautier has blasted through his first three UFC opponents in devastating first-round fashion, improving to 9–1 overall with eight career knockouts and seven first-round finishes. At **6'4"** with an **81" reach**, he controls distance with lightning-fast combinations and powerful leg kicks. His **61% significant striking accuracy** and **100% takedown success rate** speak to a polished offensive arsenal—whether standing or wrestling his foes to the canvas. He also defends takedowns at a **92% clip**, minimizing extended grappling exchanges.

**Strengths:**  
- Relentless power: eight KOs in nine wins, most inside three minutes  
- Elite accuracy: lands over 60% of significant strikes  
- Takedown threat: perfect record when he shoots—and seldom gets taken down  

**Weaknesses:**  
- Limited cardio tested beyond early blitz—avg. fight time just **3:51**  
- Inexperience in deep grappling battles; heavy focus on striking  
- Sig. strike defense only **53%**, vulnerable to counters in extended striking bouts  

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### Andrey Pulyaev – “The Siberian Bear”  
**Age:** 27  
**Country:** Russia (Chita)  
**Fighting Style:** Sambo Base / Well-Rounded MMA  

**Recent Form (UFC):**  
- **Aug. 2, 2025:** def. Nick Klein via KO (Round 2, 1:31)  
- **Mar. 22, 2025:** lost to Christian Leroy Duncan via unanimous decision (3 rounds)  

Pulyaev enters with a 10–3 pro record, showcasing five knockouts and two submissions. He blends sambo throws, solid wrestling defense and heavy hands. At **6'4"** with a **78.5" reach**, he matches Gautier physically but relies more on grappling trips and mid-range power shots. His **60% striking accuracy** is nearly on par with Gautier’s, but a **48% significant strike defense** indicates he absorbs too much damage in firefights. Pulyaev’s **17% takedown accuracy** reveals a reluctance or difficulty in securing trips, though he defends two-thirds of his opponents’ attempts (64%).

**Strengths:**  
- Knockout power: five KOs, including a highlight-reel finish over Klein  
- Durability & cardio: avg. fight time **12:10**, comfortable beyond early rounds  
- Submission chops: two career subs threaten dangerous scrambles  

**Weaknesses:**  
- Low takedown success; struggles to impose grappling against elite wrestlers  
- Strike defense below 50%—prone to taking substantial damage  
- Inconsistency: split results in UFC debut slate (1–1), still building confidence  

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### Style Collision & Key Factors  
This fight boils down to **Gautier’s explosive, nonstop pressure** versus **Pulyaev’s durability and power-grappling toolkit**. Gautier must capitalize early—his high‐octane offense and perfect TD rate create a tight window to finish. Pulyaev, meanwhile, will look to weather the storm, drag exchanges into deep water and capitalize on any fatigue or overextensions. Statistically, Gautier’s superior accuracy, knockout frequency and takedown success make him the clear favorite, but Pulyaev’s well-rounded skill set and cardio advantage ensure this won’t be a mere spotlight performance—it could be a defining upset if he can survive the first two minutes.  

## Betting Odds & Line Movement

### Current Odds  
As we head into UFC 324’s preliminary card, **Ateba Gautier** is a dominant favorite across all major sportsbooks while **Andrey Pulyaev** carries clear underdog status. Here’s a snapshot of the current moneylines:  

- **Ateba Gautier (Favorite)**  
  - BetRivers: –910  
  - BetOnline.ag: –800  ← *Best price on the favorite*  
  - DraftKings: –850  
  - Caesars / FanDuel: –1,000  
  - BetMGM: –1,200  

- **Andrey Pulyaev (Underdog)**  
  - BetOnline.ag: +500  
  - DraftKings: +575  
  - Bovada: +550  
  - FanDuel: +560  
  - BetRivers / Caesars / BetMGM: +600  ← *Best price on the underdog*  

Gautier’s price range (–800 to –1,200) reflects widespread confidence in his explosiveness and finishing ability. Pulyaev’s line (+500 to +600) rewards bettors willing to back the Siberian Bear’s power and durability at sizable odds.

### Line Movement & Historical Trends  
Since December 27, Ateba Gautier’s odds have **shortened** on several books:  
- At **Caesars**, he opened around –900 and has drifted to –1,000, indicating heavy action on his side.  
- **BetMGM** has him as steep as –1,200, the most extreme juice on Gautier.  
- Conversely, **BetOnline.ag** has held steady around –800, making it the softest favorite line.  

Andrey Pulyaev’s line has **drifted** from an initial +500 at Caesars to +600 as late bettors pile onto Gautier. **DraftKings** saw a move from +625 down to +575, while **Bovada** briefly flirted with +575 before returning to +600. These swings underline where sharp money has flowed—principally on Gautier as bookmakers adjust to balance exposure.

### Best Sportsbook for Value  
- **If you want the favorite**: BetOnline.ag at **–800** offers the highest payout potential on Gautier.  
- **If you like the underdog**: BetRivers, Caesars or BetMGM at **+600** gives you the biggest return backing Pulyaev.  

### Hypothetical $1,000 Bet & Implied Chances  
- **Bet $1,000 on Ateba Gautier at –800** → You’d **win $125** (payout $1,125).  
- **Bet $1,000 on Andrey Pulyaev at +600** → You’d **win $6,000** (payout $7,000).  

Based on these current lines, the implied probability of **Gautier** securing victory sits in the **high 80%** range, while **Pulyaev**’s chances are roughly **14–17%**.  

These figures highlight both the steep road Pulyaev must climb and the value opportunity the underdog line presents. Whether you’re buying into Gautier’s first‐round finishing flair or chasing a life-changing payday on Pulyaev, understanding these odds and their evolution is critical before putting real money on the line.