The UFC launched its new partnership with Paramount+ on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking UFC 324 as the first event under the company’s $7.7 billion streaming agreement. This event also ended a six-week break for the organization, featuring top contenders in key matchups, including the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, while Sean O’Malley made his return against Song Yadong in the bantamweight co-main event.
Gaethje Tops Pimblett in a Grueling Lightweight Title Bout
Prior to UFC 324, Paddy Pimblett was undefeated in his seven UFC bouts and had recently delivered a commanding victory over Michael Chandler. His youth and rapid rise positioned him as a favorite to claim the interim lightweight championship. Despite Pimblett’s momentum, Justin Gaethje, a seasoned veteran known as “The Highlight,” proved to be a formidable adversary, showcasing his experience and resilience throughout the fight.
The opening round saw fierce exchanges, with Gaethje landing a critical uppercut that debilitated Pimblett amid persistent pressure. Pimblett demonstrated toughness by recovering and countering effectively with knees and leg kicks. Continuing his relentless assault in the second round, Gaethje pressed Pimblett against the cage and executed a knee strike from a front headlock to knock him down. Shortly after, Gaethje landed a right hand knockdown, leaving Pimblett on his back and vulnerable to heavy ground strikes. However, post-fight review revealed that an illegal eyepoke by Gaethje during this sequence went unnoticed by referee Marc Goddard, which affected the round’s dynamics.
In the third round, Pimblett adapted his strategy, utilizing footwork to maneuver away from the fence and remain in the center of the Octagon, mitigating Gaethje’s pressure. This round levelled out the contest, with both fighters exchanging powerful strikes and enduring moments of adversity. Ultimately, Gaethje’s superior counter-striking and cage control earned him unanimous scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46, sealing his victory over the younger contender.
With this impressive win, Gaethje is poised for a unification bout against reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Following the fight, Topuria remarked,
“all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”
Sean O’Malley Secures Narrow Victory Over Song Yadong
In the co-main event, bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley returned after two consecutive losses to former champion Merab Dvalishvili. Looking to regain his position among the division’s elite, O’Malley faced the formidable Song Yadong. O’Malley employed his fluid striking style early, using his reach advantage to land body attacks and counter from the outside. Despite this, Yadong responded with leg kicks and concluded the first round with an effective takedown, finishing on top.
The second round was dominated by Yadong’s grappling as he secured multiple takedowns and leveraged his wrestling threat to land strikes. However, O’Malley regained control in the final round by landing heavy straight punches while switching stances to confuse his opponent. His display of range and variation in attack enabled him to narrowly claim a unanimous decision win with all judges scoring 29-28 in his favor.
After the fight, O’Malley expressed his desire for another title shot against Petr Yan, though he displayed respect toward Merab Dvalishvili, acknowledging the latter’s accomplishments during his championship reign.
Selected Fighter Earnings Highlight Payouts at UFC 324
Justin Gaethje’s victory was accompanied by the largest payout of the evening, earning $2,892,000, nearly doubling Paddy Pimblett’s $1,532,000 earnings. Pimblett’s compensation notably exceeded the amount he spent on event tickets, underscoring his rising star status despite the loss.
Sean O’Malley also drew a significant paycheck with $1,021,000, which was double that of Song Yadong’s $512,000, though less than his peak earnings as champion.
Here are selected reported payouts from UFC 324:
1. Justin Gaethje – $2,892,000
2. Paddy Pimblett – $1,532,000
3. Sean O’Malley – $1,021,000
4. Song Yadong – $512,000
5. Derrick Lewis – $420,000
6. Umar Nurmagomedov – $355,000
7. Nikita Krylov – $295,000
8. Charles Johnson – $263,750
9. Deiveson Figueiredo – $240,000
10. Rose Namajunas – $215,000
11. Modestas Bukauskas – $210,000
12. Waldo Cortes Acosta – $210,000
13. Arnold Allen – $160,000
14. Jean Silva – $155,000
15. Ty Miller – $128,000
16. Adam Fugitt – $65,000
17. Andrey Pulyaev – $28,000
18. Denzel Freeman – $24,000
Upcoming Matchups and UFC’s Continued Momentum
The UFC maintains its pace in the new Paramount+ era, quickly approaching another fight week focused on major clashes. On Saturday, February 1st, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his title in a rematch against Diego Lopes. The card will also showcase lightweight contenders such as Dan Hooker and Mauricio Ruffy, returning to action in highly anticipated bouts.
Additionally, rising lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld will continue to make waves as he faces Jamie Mullarkey, following Salkilld’s impressive knockout victory over Nasrat Haqparast in his last appearance. These events signal sustained excitement and competitive intensity as the UFC advances through the early stages of this new broadcasting partnership, with fans eager for more high-stakes contests in the Octagon.
