On January 24, 2026, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will witness a pivotal moment in the bantamweight division’s history. While the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headlines UFC 324, the co-main event features a clash that die-hard fans have circled since it was rumored: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong.
This isn’t just a fight; it is a crossroads for two of the most dynamic strikers on the roster. For O’Malley, it is a desperate bid to remain elite after a rough 2025. For Song, it is the final hurdle before a potential title shot against the newly crowned champion, Petr Yan. Let’s dive deep into the stakes, the technical matchup, and why this fight is a “Striker’s Delight.”
The Stakes: Desperation vs. Ascension
To understand the gravity of this bout, we must look at the road that led here. The last 18 months have been chaotic for the 135-pound division.
- Sean “Suga” O’Malley: The former champion enters this fight with his back against the wall. After losing his belt to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September 2024, O’Malley sought immediate redemption. His rematch at UFC 316 in June 2025 ended disastrously with a third-round submission loss. Now, staring down the barrel of a three-fight losing streak, O’Malley is fighting for his relevance in the title picture.
- Song “Kung Fu Kid” Yadong: In contrast, Song is surging. His technical decision victory over Henry Cejudo in February 2025 silenced critics who claimed he couldn’t handle elite wrestling. Currently ranked #5, a win over a superstar like O’Malley would make his case for a title shot undeniable.
With Petr Yan recently reclaiming the throne at UFC 323, both men have history with the champ. O’Malley holds a controversial split-decision win over Yan from 2022, while Song suffered a loss to him in 2024. The winner here likely books a date with the Russian champion later this year.
Striker vs. Striker: A Technical Breakdown
Stylistically, this is a dream matchup. Unlike O’Malley’s recent nightmares against the grappling-heavy Dvalishvili, Song Yadong prefers to stand and trade. However, their approaches to striking are vastly different.
1. Distance Management: The Sniper vs. The Blitz
O’Malley (5’11”) owns a significant reach advantage over Song (5’8″). Historically, O’Malley excels when he can keep opponents at the end of his jab and teep kicks. Recall his masterclass against Marlon Vera at UFC 299; when O’Malley dictates the range, he is nearly untouchable.
Song, however, is a master of closing distance explosively. He doesn’t plod forward; he blitzes. His ability to shift gears from a bouncing rhythm to a pocket exchange is elite. The key for Song will be to get inside O’Malley’s long guard without eating the check hook that put so many others to sleep.
2. The Power Differential
Both men possess knockout power, but it manifests differently:
- O’Malley’s Precision: His power comes from accuracy and timing. He catches opponents when they are off-balance or breathing. It’s “clean” power.
- Song’s Brute Force: Song Yadong hits with thudding, concussive force. His left hook is one of the most dangerous weapons in the division. If he lands clean on O’Malley’s chin—which has been tested but held up well against Yan—it could be a short night.
3. The X-Factor: Leg Kicks
Song Yadong’s low kicks are vastly underrated. Against a tall, lateral mover like O’Malley, chopping down the lead leg is a classic strategy (think Cejudo vs. Dillashaw). If Song can compromise O’Malley’s movement early, the “Suga Show” loses its primary defense mechanism: footwork.
Historical Context: Why Bantamweight is King
The bantamweight division has long been considered the “shark tank” of the UFC, and this fight proves why. In almost any other division, a fighter with O’Malley’s recent record might get a “tune-up” fight. At 135 pounds, there are no tune-ups. You either swim with the sharks or you get eaten.
We saw this recently when Cory Sandhagen faced Umar Nurmagomedov. The matchmaking is ruthless, ensuring that only the absolute best reach the gold. This strict meritocracy is what makes Saturday’s co-main event so compelling—it is pure high-level competition with zero manufactured drama.
Prediction and Analysis
Most analysts are split. The “smart money” often favors the fighter with the reach and diverse arsenal (O’Malley), especially in a three-round fight where volume scoring is crucial. O’Malley lands an average of 7.2 significant strikes per minute, a pace that is hard to match.
However, recency bias is real. O’Malley looked flat in his last outing against Merab, while Song looked physically stronger than ever against Cejudo. If Song can turn this into a brawl, he wins. If O’Malley keeps it technical and fights long, he wins.
The Verdict: Expect a cautious first round as both men respect the other’s power. By round two, O’Malley will likely establish his rhythm, using his front kicks to the body to sap Song’s gas tank. Unless Song lands a Hail Mary left hook, O’Malley should edge out a decision victory, utilizing his superior footwork to avoid the pocket exchanges where Song thrives.
UFC 324 Full Card Preview
While O’Malley vs. Yadong is the people’s main event, the rest of the card at T-Mobile Arena is stacked:
- Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (Interim Lightweight Title)
- Feature Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
- Prelim Headliner: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
For more coverage on upcoming events and local fight news, check out our latest MMA updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What time does UFC 324 start in Europe?
For viewers in Estonia and Europe, the main card typically begins at 05:00 AM (EET) on Sunday morning. The prelims usually start around 01:00 AM or 03:00 AM depending on the provider.
2. Has Sean O’Malley ever been knocked out?
Yes, technically. His only TKO loss prior to his recent skid was against Marlon Vera in 2020 due to a leg injury (peroneal nerve strike) that rendered him unable to stand. He has never been knocked unconscious in the octagon.
3. Where does the winner of this fight go in the rankings?
If O’Malley wins, he solidifies his spot at #1 or #2 and likely gets a trilogy fight with Petr Yan. If Song Yadong wins, he likely jumps into the top 3, bypassing contenders like Sandhagen for a title shot.
4. Is bantamweight the most stacked division in the UFC?
Most experts agree that bantamweight (135 lbs) and lightweight (155 lbs) are the two deepest divisions in terms of talent, with the top 15 fighters all being championship caliber.
5. How can I watch UFC events in Estonia?
UFC events are typically broadcast via Viaplay or UFC Fight Pass in the Baltic region. Check local listings for the specific channel rights for numbered events.
