In a highly anticipated co-main event at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, Sean O’Malley Song Yadong UFC 324 delivered a competitive and tactical bantamweight battle that concluded with O’Malley earning a unanimous decision victory (29-28 on all scorecards). The win marked O’Malley’s return to the win column after a period of setbacks and reinforced his status as one of the division’s most dynamic strikers.
Held January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena — a card headlined by an interim lightweight title fight — the co-main event grabbed MMA fans’ attention not just for the result but for its implications on the future of the bantamweight title picture.
Fighter Backgrounds and Records
Sean “Suga” O’Malley (USA) entered UFC 324 with a professional record of 19-3 (1 NC), known for his precise striking, creative kickboxing, and dynamic fight IQ. O’Malley is a former UFC bantamweight champion, having captured gold earlier in his career, and entered this fight looking to reignite his title aspirations after recent losses.
Song Yadong (China) came into the bout with a record of 22-9-1 (1 NC) and a reputation as a tough, versatile contender. Nicknamed “The Kung Fu Kid,” Song combines powerful leg kicks, grappling, and high-pace striking to pressure opponents. A win here had the potential to elevate his status toward a title shot for the winner of the Zhang vs. Yan series earlier this year.
The matchup was billed as a battle between O’Malley’s precision and range striking versus Song’s pressure and physical grappling.
Round 1 — Tactical Start With Song Edging Grappling Control
From the opening bell, the fight unfolded as a measured chess match. O’Malley used slick footwork to control distance, planting teeps and jabs to keep Song cautious. Song, in response, emphasized low leg kicks early, aiming to disrupt O’Malley’s range and mobility.
Mid-round, O’Malley slipped on a kick, and Song capitalized with a takedown, briefly securing top position late in the frame. O’Malley worked effectively to mitigate damage on the ground, preventing significant ground-and-pound. On the feet, O’Malley’s counters were sharp but less frequent than Song’s aggressive forward movement.
Judges scored this round 10-9 in favor of O’Malley, influenced by his clean strikes and positional control despite Song’s late takedown.
Round 2 — Song’s Pressure Shows Effect; Score Close
Round two saw Song continue to capitalize on forward pressure and body attacks. He cut the cage well and landed consistent combinations, mixing leg kicks with short hooks that tested O’Malley’s defense. Song also secured clinches and a few grappling attempts that enabled him to dictate the pace at moments.
O’Malley remained elusive, switching stances to reset distance and using movement to offset Song’s aggression. His sharper exchanges came in bursts, but Song’s activity level arguably kept him ahead on volume. Judges scored the round 10-9 for Song, making the fight evenly poised heading into the final round.
Round 3 — O’Malley Finishes Strong to Secure Decision
With the fight tied, O’Malley came out in the third looking to assert his striking dominance. Early in the frame he landed a high knee and solid left hand combinations, keeping Song backing up and forced to fire back instead of initiating pressure.
As the round progressed, O’Malley’s volume increased, and he began to visibly hurt Song, opening up with a spinning back kick and precise counter punches. Song continued to throw kicks but was unable to replicate his second-round success. O’Malley’s sharper offense and effective defense in the final frame helped him take the round 10-9 across all judges.
The unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) confirmed O’Malley’s comeback and underscored his ability to adjust mid-fight.
Fight Summary and Fan Reactions
The fight received varied reactions from the MMA community. Some praised O’Malley’s precision and timing, highlighting his resilience and smart adjustments in the third round. Others felt Song’s pressure and control in the second should have weighed heavier, with debate over whether the bout could have gone either way.
Petr Yan, the current bantamweight champion as of late 2025, reacted sarcastically about the fight on social media, suggesting O’Malley’s win wasn’t definitive. In response, O’Malley issued respectful calls for a title rematch or for the title holder to defend against Erik Perez or Merab Dvalishvili next.
Fans online also debated scoring, with some asserting the first round was tightly contested and the third round decisive for O’Malley’s victory. Others argued Song’s grappling moments were undervalued.
What the Win Means for O’Malley’s Title Hopes
This victory was O’Malley’s first in two years and a major step toward re-entering the bantamweight title picture. O’Malley had previously held the bantamweight title in 2023 but lost momentum after back-to-back defeats.
By besting a top contender like Song Yadong, O’Malley improves his claim for a potential title shot — either directly against current champion Petr Yan or after a mandatory defense by the belt holder. O’Malley publicly expressed willingness to wait for a Yan rematch if that’s what the division dictates.
This report is part of FFRNews Sports & MMA coverage, tracking major mixed martial arts events, fight results, and evolving title pictures globally. Details in this article are based on reporting by UFC Español and MMA Fighting, which documented the Sean O’Malley Song Yadong UFC 324 bout and provided round-by-round analysis.
