The Octagon is set for a clash of styles! Get ready for UFC 324 as Sean O'Malley and Song Yadong step into the co-main event spotlight on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This isn't just another fight; it's a pivotal moment for both fighters looking to make their mark.
Sean O'Malley, often recognized for his distinctive style, is aiming to rebound after a challenging period. Last year, his record stood at 125 wins, 86 losses, and 3 draws. In the 2026 UFC main cards so far, he's at 0-0-0. O'Malley (with a professional MMA record of 18 wins and 3 losses, and 10 wins and 3 losses in the UFC) is looking to get back on the winning track after facing tough title fight losses against Merab Dvalishvili. His last victory was a significant one: a unanimous decision against Marlon Vera in March 2024, which also served as his sole title defense.
On the other side, Song Yadong, with a professional record of 22 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, and 11 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw in the UFC, has consistently been on the cusp of a title opportunity. He's been knocking on the door, and this fight against O'Malley presents another significant chance to break through. Song is coming off a technical decision victory over the formidable former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo, in February.
But here's where it gets interesting... This co-main event wasn't originally planned. It emerged as an impromptu replacement after Kayla Harrison's title fight was unfortunately canceled due to an injury. Now, O'Malley, who recently lost his bantamweight belt in his series with Merab Dvalishvili, faces Song, a fighter whose career has seen its share of ups and downs, but who is fresh off a somewhat controversial win over Cejudo.
While the desire to see Song Yadong pull off an upset is strong, especially given some of the unnecessary friction that arose during the pre-fight press conferences, his consistency in certain areas remains a question mark. And this is the part most people miss... Although Song possesses underrated wrestling skills and powerful leg kicks that could pose problems for O'Malley, his tendency to focus on head strikes might play directly into O'Malley's hands. O'Malley, despite any personal opinions one might have, is known for his exceptional striking and ability to switch between orthodox and southpaw stances seamlessly. While questions about O'Malley's resilience linger, I'm leaning towards him securing a win on the scorecards.
The odds are in favor of the former champion, with O'Malley listed as the favorite at -215 and Song as the underdog at +172, according to FanDuel. The walk to the octagon for O'Malley and Song is anticipated around 10:40 p.m. ET (7:40 p.m. PT).
What do you think? Is O'Malley's striking prowess enough to overcome Song's power and wrestling, or will Song finally break through to the top tier? Let us know your predictions in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
