The Paramount Plus era for the UFC got off to a rousing start Saturday after the main card of UFC 324 delivered on a bevy of amazing fights. From top to bottom, the later-night festivities had fans glued to the edge of their seats.
In the headlining attraction, Justin Gaethje proved he was still near the head of the pack at lightweight by thoroughly dismantling Paddy Pimblett to claim interim gold. In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley dug deep to come out on top with a comeback victory over the streaking Song Yadong.
Now, let’s take a look at some interesting post-event tidbits about the main card of UFC 324.
UFC 324: Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen
Jean Silva
Silva’s decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324 is the first time he had seen the scorecards regardless if he won or lost since his triumph over Kevin Vallejos on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2023. He has now won two bouts as a professional via the judge’s nod in his 20-fight career.
Silva’s 74 significant strikes landed on Allen also marked the most he had accrued in a single UFC contest.
Arnold Allen
Allen’s decision loss to Jean Silva was the fourth time he has fallen to the judge’s cards. His appearance at UFC 324 was also his third consecutive inclusion in a numbered promotional event.
His match with Silva saw him absorb the second most significant strikes he had taken in a fight with the UFC, behind only his meeting with Max Holloway back in 2023, where he received over 140.
UFC 324: Natália Silva def. Rose Namajunas
Natália Silva
Silva’s win over Namajunas at UFC 324 is her 20th victory as a professional. It’s also her third successive triumph over a former champion, with the other two being Jéssica Andrade and Alexa Grasso.
She has now won five tilts in a row by decision
Rose Namajunas
Namajunas’ loss to Silva dropped her from the winner’s circle after previously besting Miranda Maverick last summer. Coincidentally, it was also the first time she had lost to a Brazilian opponent since her knockout setback to Andrade back in 2019 at UFC 237, where she attempted to defend her strawweight strap for a second time.
Her flyweight record now stands at 3-3
UFC 324: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Cortes-Acosta’s win over Derrick Lewis during UFC 324 served as his third victory in a row since losing to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night 257. It was also his third consecutive triumph by strikes after previously starching both Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev.
10 of his 17 victories as a professional have now come by way of stoppage.
Derrick Lewis
Lewis’ loss to Cortes-Acosta was his first loss since 2023 after collecting two wins over Rodrigo Nascimento and Tallison Teixeira. It’s also the first time he had faced a non-Brazilian adversary in his last five fights.
He has now lost eight times as a professional by knockout. His UFC record now stands at 20-11.
UFC 324: Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong
Sean O’Malley
O’Malley’s win over Yadong ended a two-bout losing streak dating back to September 2024 after suffering two consecutive defeats to Merab Dvalishvili. His appearance at UFC 324 also was his 14th contest in a row on a numbered card.
His UFC record now stands at 11-3
Song Yadong
UFC 324 was the first time he has fought in Las Vegas since his main event clash with Chris Gutiérrez at UFC Fight Night 233. His three registered takedowns on O’Malley also is the most he has landed in an organizational tilt.
He is now 3-2 in his last five fights
UFC 324: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett
Justin Gaethje
Gaethje’s win over Pimblett earned him the interim lightweight title, becoming the first fighter to accomplish said feat in the UFC. He also became the only individual to score an interim strap twice in the promotion’s history. He now stands as the oldest man to capture any form of 155-lb gold in the UFC.
Including his BMF championship matches, “The Highlight” has contended for a company belt on six occasions at the time of UFC 324.
Paddy Pimblett
Pimblett’s loss to Gaethje is his first setback since 2018, bringing an end to his previous nine-bout win streak. It’s also his first defeat in the promotion.
The 144 significant strikes he withstood at UFC 324 was more than in his last three trips to the cage combined.
