On Saturday night time, UFC 324 kicks off its 2026 occasion schedule, kicking off an all-new Paramount+ period for the UFC.
Forward of combat night time, RDX Sports activities Editor-in-Chief Simon Head asks some burning questions, and we hope to get the solutions as the sport unfolds at T-Cellular Enviornment on Saturday night time.
Is Paddy Pimblett actual?
Paddy Pimblett has at all times been underrated all through his profession. His outsized persona has made him a lightning rod for opinion, for higher or worse, with some pointing to the power of his schedule as a motive to doubt him, whereas others desire to level to his apparent development by the ranks.
No matter which facet of the controversy you are on, everybody agrees that Saturday’s match towards Justin Gaethje would be the largest and hardest match of Pimblett’s profession to date.
‘The Spotlight’ has been examined towards the perfect within the sport and he beforehand holds interim championship gold and BMF titles. And his status as probably the most harmful fighters within the light-weight division is well-deserved.
Pimblett must stroll by fireplace to beat Gaethje. He is adamant he is manufactured from the fitting stuff, however he will not have proof till it occurs Saturday night time.
Is Paddy actual at 155 kilos? We’ll discover out quickly.
Will Sean O’Malley be eligible for an additional title shot?
When Sean O’Malley exploded into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Sequence, it seemed like he was on a fast trajectory to the highest. This breakthrough earned him the undisputed bantamweight title, and it seemed just like the UFC had a bona fide famous person within the making.
However O’Malley’s title reign was short-lived, removed from dominating the division. After one profitable title protection, O’Malley misplaced the belt at UFC 306, the place he was dominated by Merab Dvalishvili. He then tried to get revenge and regain the title in a rematch at UFC 316, however misplaced once more to the Georgian fighter, this time by submission.
After a six-month hiatus, O’Malley is again and able to ship the newest model of “The Sugar Present” as he takes on Chinese language fighter Music Yadong within the co-main occasion of UFC 324.
His boxing is as sharp as anybody carrying MMA gloves, and his capability to attach from vary may very well be essential towards the highly effective and well-rounded Son.
If he can defeat Son, profitable one other title is probably not far-off. And if the teachings realized from the 2 defeats to Dvalysvili are taken into consideration, a second title is probably not out of the query.
Will the Waldo Cortés and Acosta bandwagon proceed?
Few fighters may have had a greater 12 months than Waldo Cortez-Acosta in 2025. The truth that the Dominican Republic heavyweight fought 5 instances in a calendar 12 months is spectacular sufficient, however if you add within the information that he received 4 of these fights, his 12 months turns into much more exceptional.
Cortez Acosta is presently ranked No. 5 within the UFC heavyweight division and faces the problem of going through No. 8 knockout artist Derrick Lewis, who stays probably the most harmful puncher within the UFC.
“The Black Beast” has probably the most knockouts within the UFC and has the power to flatten anybody with one punch. Though he plans to get ‘Salsa Boy’ out of there quickly, Cortez-Acosta will intention to handle his distance properly and thoroughly create openings for such a harmful finisher.
If Cortez-Acosta can defeat Ruiz, a title combat may very well be subsequent.
