UFC 324 Thoughts And Opinions 26.1.2026.
Intro.
This past weekend started off a new era for the worlds leading fight organisation, because UFC 324 kicked off the promotions $7.7 billion dollar relationship with Paramount+. On paper when this card got announced I was excited, and as the time came around questions did come to my mind, would some fights get pulled, well yes Kayla Harrison was due to face the goat of the Womens Division Amanda Nunes, but this didn't happen due to Kayla having to pull out. And then there was a fight getting called off due a betting rule break. And the other one is what would the broadcast look like under the Viacom structure, well if the internet is anything to go by, then it sounded like it was a disaster, due to the amount of ads that got placed throughout the broadcast. I live here in the UK so I didn't have any issues with the broadcast, but that doesn't mean that fans who paid extra for this show shouldn't be given slop, when they asked for prime steak.
Weigh In Drama.
The week hadn't got off to a good start for Dana White, when it came to this PPV. on one hand he Justin GaJate slamming fighter pay, and on the other, he had to deal with the Cameron Smotherman situation. The process of how fighters make weight has been brought into question over the years, and this is why. I watched Michael Bisping on Youtube, and he spoke about the situation, he talked about how much a fighter has to go through in order to get ready for a fight. Cameron came off the scales, and he face planted on the stage. Fighters are having to cut even more weight these days, and big questions are going to need to be asked industry wide.
Blink 182 Soundtracked The PPV.
This angered a lot of hardcore MMA fans, and I get that, but for me, I didn't have a problem with this. You've got to look at it with an objective point of view. Yes this is a sport PPV, but when you go back to the year 2001, when Zuffa bought the company from Bob Myerwitz a Young Dana White said that he wants to make the UFC the superbowl of MMA, and what does the Superbowl have? A Halftime show. I've been a fan of Blink 182 since I was 12, and an MMA fan for most of my life, so this is my thoughts. If there are fans of Blink who've never seen a UFC fight card, then this could be a perfect way to bring in new fans. Case and point, my best friends daughter is now a WWE fan due to the fact that Stranger Things crossed paths with Monday Night Raw, this is proof that two audiences can coexist.
Fight Card.
Tom Arnold vs Jean Silva.
This fight was a stark look at how styles make fights. Silva who comes from the Fighting Nerds camp from Brazil, has a solid background in Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kick Boxing, whilst Allen has a solid form when it comes to striking, and his Wrestling skills reminded me of early days Randy Couture, and. Mark Coleman. The first round was an all stand up affair, with neither man being able to counteract their offences. The second round resambled what the game Rock'em Sock'em Robots would like if it was played in real time. I would've liked to see Arnold take Silva to the ground, because this were the fight could've been won. The third round saw the final blows land as both men put forward their lasts blasts. Jean got the win via unamous decision.
Natalia Silva vs Rose Namanunes.
This fight under delivered, and was a let down. Rose has superior striking abilities, which would have a perfect counteraction for Silva's Wrestling, but this isn't what happened. The first round looked very stoic, with both ladies being quite cagey. The second saw Silva take Rose to the ground, and this was were the fight was won. The third round saw Rose slightly make a comeback, but at this point, the fight was lost, and Rose had blown her shot at making into the top contender realm of the Womens 125 Flyweight Division. Silva got the win by using her Wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu background to a solid effect.
Waldo Cortes Acosta vs Derek Lewis.
Agh yes, the UFC Heavyweight Division, a Division that these days gets vastly underlooked. There's a saying that has gone round for years when it comes to the UFC Heavyweight Division. Big men, small gloves, someone's going to fall. I couldn't think of a better phrase when describing this fight. The first round was a slow dive into both mens striking game, and the second saw Costa get the win after he took advantage of Lewis slipping over, and clipping him behind the ear. Waldo was then met with silence in the aftermath of this fight when he did his post fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Sean O'malley vs Song Yadong.
I've heard so many things get said about Sean O'malley over the years, from untalented wannabe, to he's an industry plant. Do I think that he's a plant? No, because this is a man who has an excellent Takedown defense, and a solid striking game. Whilst Song has an excellent ability to break the distance when it comes to landing shots, and his Muay Thai is up there with some of the best within the Bantamweight Division. Song managed to slow down O'malley in the early going by punishing his legs, holting his momentum, and excellent footwork. This would prove to be a good counteraction for the Sugary one. Round two was more of the same from the first round, but Song did back off a bit, and this was telling, as O'malley took advantage, as the third round started off O'malley dominated in the only way he knows how. By just coming forward, and inserting his will. Sugar Sean got the win. This was excellent.
Justin Gajate vs Paddy Pimblett UFC Interim Lightweight Championship.
From the very start both men were a study in contrast. Paddy brought the energy, whilst Justin came out like a man who was lazer focused on what he wanted. The first round belonged to Gajate, his overall pressence overtook Paddy's senses, but he did get a warning from Mark Goddard for eye poking Paddy, proving that he's the best in the business. Paddy did manage to show what fighting spirit means, as his boxing became the backbone of his offence. I scored Justin the win for round one due to his ground game. The second round saw just how ruthless both men are, they stood toe to toe, as they threw bombs at each other. I scored this round to Paddy, because of how he managed to throw more landing shots in my opinion. The third round saw Paddy's Corner scream for him to takedown Justin, but he kept standing. Justin managed to do more damage on the ground, and Paddy didn't have an argument for the highlight. This was an easy round win for Justin. Paddy managed to make a minor comeback with his striking, as his corner continued to scream at him to take Justin to the ground. Justin used this to his advantage, as he standed and banged with Paddy. I gave this round to Paddy, due to him landing harder shots. This round gave me Chuck Liddell vs Wanderlai Silva vibes from this round. The fight went the distance, as both men showed how much they wanted this moment, to show the world that there the best that the UFC has to offer in the Lightweight Division. Paddy's corner told him to leave everything out there in the cage, and this was carried by Justins Corner. This round ended with both men raising there own hands in victory, until the score cards were read out. I scored the 5th round for Justin, because he balanced both his striking and takedown defense, which was something that Paddy struggled to do. Many have called one of the best fights so far this year, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who disagrees. I loved this fight. Paddy spoke about mental health in the aftermath and begged anyone who's struggling to come forward and seek help, by talking. He also dedicated his fight to the memory of his friends who've passed away by suicide, and. Diego Jota, and his brother who passed away last year in a car accident. This acted as a reminder that life is short, and you should hold your loved ones near.
Overview From UFC 324 Gajate vs Pimblett.
Controversies aside this was a solid fight card. I get that some fans stateside had some difficulties with the broadcast on Paramount+ in the states, but as a fan here in the UK. I thought the show had promise. Fans online have suggested that the UFC had plans to do Ilia vs Paddy at Wembley Stadium, and all I have to say is this. I can't see this happening due to the fact that Dana White has said in the past that he prefers the way that an arena sounds at capacity. This will now definately not happen, as the booking is looking more likely going to be Paddy vs Dan Hooker instead in my opinion. I can see this being Paddy's comeback fight later this year.
UFC 324 Gajate vs Pimblett is a solid 8/10.