UFC 324 lands as one of the most important cards of the early 2026 schedule, not because of spectacle, but because of how many divisions are quietly affected by the matchups booked. An interim lightweight title fight headlines the event, a bantamweight contender bout anchors the co-main, and several fights further down the card carry ranking and career implications that will ripple through the year. Rather than relying on novelty, UFC 324 is built around structure: proven names facing meaningful tests, contenders being sorted from hopefuls, and veterans defending their relevance against younger opposition. ---

Main Event: Interim Lightweight Title Fight

Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett The main event features Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett competing for the interim UFC lightweight championship, a fight that immediately reshapes one of the deepest divisions in the sport. Gaethje enters with a résumé defined by durability, pressure, and sustained damage. His leg kicks remain among the most destructive at lightweight, and his ability to force opponents into extended exchanges has broken many elite fighters over time. While his approach has evolved to include more restraint and pacing, Gaethje’s success still hinges on imposing chaos and forcing opponents to fight at an uncomfortable tempo. Pimblett approaches the fight from a very different angle. His style thrives when structure breaks down. Scrambles, transitions, and sudden changes in rhythm favor his opportunistic submission game, and he has shown a willingness to take risks to create those moments. Against Gaethje, Pimblett’s challenge will be surviving long enough to turn pressure into openings, while avoiding prolonged damage in the pocket. With the undisputed lightweight title picture unresolved, the interim belt carries genuine weight. The winner exits UFC 324 positioned as a central figure in the division moving forward. ---

Co-Main Event: Bantamweight Contender Showdown

Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong The co-main event places the bantamweight spotlight on former champion Sean O’Malley against one of the division’s most dangerous rising contenders in Song Yadong. O’Malley’s success has been built on precision, timing, and distance control. His ability to punish mistakes while remaining defensively responsible makes him difficult to pressure cleanly, particularly over longer fights. When allowed to dictate range, O’Malley’s striking creativity becomes a decisive advantage. Song presents a more physical challenge. Fast, powerful, and increasingly well-rounded, he combines aggressive striking with improved wrestling and defensive awareness. His forward pressure forces opponents to make decisions under duress, and his ability to counter while advancing has steadily improved. Over five rounds, Song’s pace and durability could play a significant role if he can limit O’Malley’s space. The bantamweight division remains in flux, and this fight serves as a clear separator. A strong performance here places the winner firmly in title contention. ---

Heavyweight Bout: Experience vs. Composure

Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta Heavyweight action features Derrick Lewis against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a matchup that pairs veteran knockout power with technical discipline. Lewis remains one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC history. Even in fights where momentum shifts away from him, his power ensures that opponents cannot afford lapses. Cortes-Acosta enters as the more measured striker, relying on footwork, shot selection, and composure to control exchanges. For him, defeating Lewis represents both a career milestone and a test of discipline against constant knockout threat. ---

Flyweight Division Clash

Rose Namajunas vs. Natalia Silva Former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas continues her flyweight campaign against Natalia Silva in a bout that could impact the upper tier of the division. Namajunas brings experience forged through championship-level competition, along with refined striking and strong fight awareness. Silva counters with pace, pressure, and physicality, forcing exchanges and testing opponents’ defensive discipline. The matchup pits timing and composure against aggression and volume. ---

Featherweight Test Between Ranked Contenders

Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva At featherweight, Arnold Allen faces Jean Silva in a matchup that could determine who remains relevant in the crowded top tier. Allen’s game is built on technical efficiency, strong grappling, and disciplined striking. Silva offers a more aggressive approach, blending pressure with physicality and finishing instincts. The outcome will likely hinge on whether Allen can control tempo and positioning or if Silva can force sustained exchanges. ---

Bantamweight Matchup With Long-Term Implications

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo This bantamweight bout brings together two fighters with very different paths. Nurmagomedov’s grappling-heavy approach and positional control contrast sharply with Figueiredo’s power and finishing instincts. The fight serves as a stylistic test and a gauge of where each stands within the evolving division. ---

Card Context and Stakes

Across the card, UFC 324 quietly sorts divisions. Lightweight sees an interim champion crowned. Bantamweight edges closer to clarity. Heavyweight continues its search for consistency beyond the top tier. Flyweight and featherweight gain separation between contenders and the chasing pack. Rather than producing immediate title fights across the board, UFC 324 functions as a structural event—one that establishes direction, confirms legitimacy, and forces decisions for matchmakers moving into the rest of the year.