The primary UFC occasion of the Paramount period started with a bang, leaving MMA followers extremely happy.
Whereas nobody has but been submitted in 2026, 5 KO/TKO stoppages have been produced, with most of them occurring within the prelims.
Nevertheless, it was the primary occasion that stole the present with a outstanding battle that will probably be onerous to beat for Combat of the 12 months.
Right here is every little thing that unfolded at UFC 324 and who emerged as winners on the first UFC occasion of the 12 months.
Gaethje Ensures shot for undisputed light-weight title
The headliner was sure to be an electrical bout between two of probably the most entertaining fighters within the UFC.
Justin Gaethje had the possibility to grow to be a two-time interim champion, hoping to get one final shot on the undisputed belt.
Paddy Pimblett was on an insane rise to the highest of the light-weight division with a win, setting him in place to tackle his most formidable foe, Ilia Topuria.
Whereas some followers believed there could be a stoppage, the five-round light-weight conflict went the total distance in weird trend.
‘The Spotlight’ viciously got here out early, touchdown a knockdown within the first two rounds as he nearly completed the Liverpudlian.
‘The Baddy’ had a glimmer of hope when he out-struck Gaethje within the third spherical as each males have been pleased to remain on their ft.
The ultimate two rounds supplied much more back-and-forth motion, but it surely was clear that the #4 light-weight contender did sufficient to win by unanimous resolution.
The 38-year-old has grow to be the primary fighter to be a two-time interim UFC Champion, however he eyes the undisputed championship within the close to future in his last quest to grow to be the most effective light-weight on the earth.
The Suga Present Bounces Again
The co-main occasion was onerous to foretell, as two fighters confronted off, searching for a title shot.
Sean O’Malley had back-to-back losses in championship fights towards Merab Dvalishvili as he sought redemption.
Music Yadong fought as a #5 contender for the primary time in his profession and had the possibility to maneuver into the highest three.
Each males are spectacular strikers, so it was possible that the battle would keep on the ft for almost all of the three-round bout.
The previous UFC Bantamweight Champion landed extra strikes within the first spherical, regardless of a takedown from the Chinese language combined martial artist.
Yadong turned extra profitable on the ft within the second spherical, whereas taking down the American twice.
Essentially the most brutal spherical got here within the final one as O’Malley was touchdown nothing however clear strikes, which have been making the ‘Kung Fu Child’ bleed.
To the judges’ scorecards they went, and after a super-close struggle, ‘Suga’ took the victory to win by unanimous resolution, his first non-title struggle win since October 2022.
Different Highlights from UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta prolonged his win streak to a few as he stopped knockout report holder Derrick Lewis by second-round TKO.
Natalia Silva conquered a 3rd former UFC Champion, showcasing sufficient to triumph by unanimous resolution over Rose Namajunas.
Jean Silva victoriously went the gap for the second time in his MMA profession, choosing up an unanimous resolution win towards Arnold Allen.
Umar Nurmagomedov earned back-to-back resolution victories as he maintained his #2 bantamweight rating towards Deiveson Figueiredo.
For the primary time within the UFC, Ateba Gautier went the gap to win by unanimous resolution as Andrey Pulyaev survived a number of knockdowns.
Nikita Krylov bounced again with a buzzer-beater TKO in spherical three, stopping promising prospect Modestas Bukauskas.
Alex Perez redeemed himself and have become the primary fighter to defeat Charles Johnson by knockout, stopping the #13 contender in spherical one.
Josh Hokit maintained his unbeaten report and 100% end price with a final first-round TKO win over Denzel Freeman.
Ty Miller shone on his debut to stay undefeated with a first-round TKO victory over Adam Fugitt, incomes the primary UFC win of 2026.
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