UFC 324 Main Card Reshuffled: O'Malley vs. Yadong Elevated Following Harrison Injury Withdrawal

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a significant restructuring of its UFC 324 main card following the withdrawal of bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison due to injury. The anticipated bout between Harrison and Amanda Nunes, a highly anticipated clash, has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future event. In response to this development, the bantamweight contest featuring Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong has been promoted to the co-main event slot.

UFC officials confirmed the changes on Wednesday, detailing that while Harrison is out of the initial schedule, her championship fight against Nunes remains a priority for the organization and will be revisited at a later date. The reshuffle sees several other adjustments, including the elevation of the women’s flyweight bout between Natalia Silva and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas from the preliminary card to the main card.

The main event for UFC 324 remains unchanged, pitting Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. The event is slated to take place on Saturday, January 24, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The entire card will be broadcast live on Paramount+, with the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

O’Malley vs. Yadong: A Pivotal Bantamweight Clash

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The newly appointed co-main event between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong carries significant implications for the highly competitive bantamweight division. Both fighters are looking to solidify their positions, with O’Malley, currently ranked No. 6 in the division, aiming to rebound from recent setbacks.

Sean O’Malley (17-3, 1 NC MMA) enters this bout seeking to return to the win column after suffering consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili, who is now the former UFC bantamweight champion. Prior to these losses, O’Malley had cultivated a reputation as one of the division’s most exciting strikers, known for his flashy techniques, accurate striking, and knockout power. His career highlights include a notable knockout victory over Petr Yan, which propelled him into title contention, and a TKO win against Aljamain Sterling to claim the bantamweight title. His style is characterized by a long-range striking approach, utilizing diverse kicks and precise boxing combinations. The recent defeats have raised questions about his grappling defense and ability to handle relentless pressure fighters, aspects he will undoubtedly be working to address. A victory over Yadong would be crucial for O’Malley to maintain his top-tier ranking and re-establish himself as a legitimate title threat.

Opposite him, Song Yadong (21-7-1, 1 NC MMA), ranked No. 7, brings a formidable challenge. The "Kung Fu Kid" has built a strong record, going 3-1 in his last four outings. His only recent loss during this stretch came against the current 135-pound king, Petr Yan, in a competitive five-round decision that showcased Yadong’s durability and evolving skill set. Yadong is renowned for his aggressive striking, significant power in both hands, and improved defensive wrestling. His professional career began in 2013, and he quickly made a name for himself in the UFC with impressive finishes over fighters like Marlon Moraes and Ricky Simón. His fighting style is often characterized by high-volume striking, a willingness to engage in exchanges, and a strong chin. A win against O’Malley would not only avenge his loss to Yan indirectly but also position him firmly within the top five of the bantamweight division, placing him squarely in the title picture.

The stylistic matchup between O’Malley’s evasive, technical striking and Yadong’s aggressive, powerful boxing promises a high-octane encounter, potentially determining the next challenger in the bantamweight landscape.

Gaethje vs. Pimblett: Interim Lightweight Title on the Line

The headliner for UFC 324 features a compelling lightweight battle between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. The winner will position themselves for a unification bout against the undisputed lightweight champion.

Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA), known as "The Highlight," is a former interim lightweight champion and one of the most exciting fighters in the sport’s history. His career is defined by an unrelenting, high-pressure striking style that has earned him numerous "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" bonuses. Gaethje’s background as an NCAA Division I wrestler often goes overlooked due to his preference for standing and trading blows. His recent form includes a spectacular knockout victory over Dustin Poirier to claim the symbolic BMF title, showcasing his devastating power and improved defensive footwork. While he has challenged for the undisputed title twice, falling short against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Gaethje remains a top contender. His path to this interim title shot reflects his consistent high-level performances against the division’s elite.

Paddy Pimblett (21-3 MMA), affectionately known as "The Baddy," has quickly become one of the UFC’s most popular figures due to his charismatic personality and exciting fighting style. Pimblett enters this fight on a strong run, with an undefeated record within the UFC (5-0) since his debut in 2021. Primarily a grappler with a dangerous submission game, Pimblett has continuously demonstrated improvements in his striking, making him a more well-rounded threat. His victories over opponents like Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson have solidified his place as a legitimate contender, despite questions often raised about the caliber of his previous competition compared to Gaethje’s resume. This fight represents a significant step up in competition for Pimblett and a chance to prove he belongs at the very top of the lightweight division.

The clash of styles—Gaethje’s relentless pressure and striking power against Pimblett’s evolving striking and potent grappling—sets the stage for a potentially classic encounter with significant title implications.

Silva vs. Namajunas: Flyweight Stakes

The women’s flyweight fight between Natalia Silva and Rose Namajunas, now promoted to the main card, holds considerable importance for the 125-pound division.

Natalia Silva (17-5-1 MMA) enters this bout with an unblemished 7-0 record in the UFC, showcasing her technical striking and well-rounded skill set. Her winning streak includes impressive performances against opponents such as Andrea Lee and Viviane Araujo. Silva’s consistent dominance has positioned her as a dark horse contender in the flyweight division. Another victory, particularly against a high-profile opponent like Namajunas, would undeniably propel her into serious title contention.

Rose Namajunas (12-6 MMA), "Thug Rose," is a former two-time UFC strawweight champion, celebrated for her technical striking, fluid movement, and submission prowess. After a dominant reign at strawweight, which included victories over Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili, Namajunas transitioned to the flyweight division. Her recent form of 3-1 in her past four fights, including notable wins over Miranda Maverick and Tracy Cortez, indicates her successful adaptation to the new weight class. Namajunas’s ability to maintain her high-level performance across divisions underscores her elite status in women’s mixed martial arts. This fight is crucial for her to establish herself as a top contender at flyweight and potentially earn a shot at championship gold in a second weight class.

Other Main Card Bouts:

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight): Cortes-Acosta (11-1 MMA) brings a boxing background and power, seeking to climb the heavyweight ranks. He faces Derrick Lewis (27-12, 1 NC MMA), "The Black Beast," a fan-favorite known for his devastating knockout power and record for most knockouts in UFC history. Lewis, despite an inconsistent record in recent years, remains a perennial threat in the division.
Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight): Arnold Allen (19-3 MMA), ranked No. 5 in the featherweight division, is a technical and well-rounded fighter looking to rebound from a recent loss to Max Holloway. He takes on Jean Silva (12-2 MMA), an exciting prospect who has quickly made an impact in the UFC with his aggressive style and finishing abilities.

Preliminary Card Highlights:

The preliminary card for UFC 324 also features several high-stakes matchups:

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight): This is a standout bout on the prelims, pitting the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA), known for his elite grappling and striking, against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1 MMA), a powerful and dangerous striker who has successfully transitioned to bantamweight. The winner will be a significant factor in the bantamweight title picture.
Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight):
Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas (Light Heavyweight): Krylov (30-9 MMA), a long-time contender, faces Bukauskas (15-6 MMA) in a clash of light heavyweights.
Alex Perez vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight): Perez (24-8 MMA) looks to re-establish himself in the flyweight division against Johnson (14-6 MMA).
Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight): Two veteran lightweights known for their exciting styles.
Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight):
Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman (Bantamweight):
Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller (Welterweight):

UFC 324, despite the initial injury setback, promises an evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts action across multiple divisions, with title implications and pivotal career moments for many fighters on the card.

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