UFC 324 just got a major shake-up, and it’s leaving fans buzzing with anticipation. With the highly anticipated Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes title fight abruptly canceled due to Harrison’s neck surgery, the UFC has been forced to reshuffle its lineup for its debut event on Paramount+. But here’s where it gets interesting: instead of finding a replacement, the promotion has decided to elevate an already thrilling matchup to the main card, ensuring the event still packs a punch.
The absence of the Harrison-Nunes bout means the co-main event spot now falls to the explosive clash between former 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and the formidable Song Yadong (22-8-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC). This fight alone promises fireworks, but UFC officials didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, they announced that the women’s flyweight bout between two-time former champion Rose Namajunas (14-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) and the unstoppable Natalia Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would be bumped from the preliminaries to the main card. This move not only fills the void but also adds a layer of unpredictability to the event—will Namajunas’ experience edge out Silva’s momentum?
And this is the part most people miss: the revamped lineup isn’t just about filling slots; it’s about creating a card that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The main card now features Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, followed by O’Malley vs. Yadong, Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis, Silva vs. Namajunas, and Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva. The preliminary card is no slouch either, with standout matchups like Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Umar Nurmagomedov and Alexander Hernandez vs. Michael Johnson.
But here’s the controversial question: Did the UFC make the right call by not replacing the Harrison-Nunes fight, or should they have scrambled to find a worthy substitute? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Full UFC 324 fight card:
MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (interim lightweight title)
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis
- Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva
PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 5 p.m. ET)
- Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Ateba Gautier vs. Andrey Pulyaev
- Alexander Hernandez vs. Michael Johnson
- Modestas Bukauskas vs. Nikita Krylov
- Charles Johnson vs. Alex Perez
- Denzel Freeman vs. Josh Hokit
- Cameron Smotherman vs. Ricky Turcios
- Adam Fugitt vs. Ty Miller
This reshuffled lineup isn’t just a save—it’s a statement. UFC 324 is shaping up to be a night of unforgettable action, and you won’t want to miss it. Tune in, and let the debates begin!
