Get ready for a night of adrenaline-pumping action as UFC 324 takes center stage, but here’s the real kicker: Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett is on the brink of making history—if he can get past the formidable Justin Gaethje. This lightweight interim title bout is the main event, but there’s so much more to unpack from tonight’s fight card. Let’s dive in, shall we?
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1. The Fighter Who Bakes Bread published at 03:17 GMT
As we speak, Rose Namajunas is locked in a fierce battle with Natalia Silva. Namajunas, a two-time former UFC strawweight champion, has her eyes on the flyweight title held by Valentina Shevchenko—but only if she can secure a win tonight. In a recent chat with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old American revealed she’d be content retiring today, yet becoming a two-division champion remains a burning ambition. And this is the part most people miss: when she’s not in the octagon, Namajunas is a passionate bread baker. ‘I got into freshly-milled flour because it’s healthier,’ she shared. ‘Bread-making is an art, and while I’m not a master baker, I love the process and the taste.’
2. The Knockout That Wasn’t published at 03:15 GMT
Jean Silva secured a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Allen, but it wasn’t without drama. ‘I wanted to knock him out so badly,’ Silva admitted post-fight. ‘My team kept telling me to wait, and it was tough, but I’m proud I stayed the course.’ Here’s where it gets controversial: Silva apologized to Allen after the fight, citing his admiration for the fighter. ‘He was already here when I started, and it was hard to face someone I look up to,’ Silva explained. Is this sportsmanship or a sign of respect gone too far? Let us know in the comments.
3. Allen’s Points Defeat published at 03:13 GMT
England’s Arnold Allen fell to Brazil’s Jean Silva in a thrilling featherweight bout. Fun fact: Allen brought his cat, Fish, to Vegas for moral support. But here’s the question: Did Fish make it to the T-Mobile Arena? We can only hope.
4. Bukauskas’ Battle Beyond the Cage published at 03:11 GMT
Modestas Bukauskas may have lost to Nikita Krylov, but his story is one of resilience. At 19, Bukauskas underwent a five-hour heart surgery while awake, battling palpitations that threatened his athletic dreams. ‘It was brutal,’ he recalled. ‘They had wires in my heart, trying to fix it.’ His journey to the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. And this is the part most people miss: Bukauskas’ fight isn’t just in the cage—it’s a testament to overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Read his full story here.
5. Bukauskas’ Heartbreaking Loss published at 03:08 GMT
Krylov ended Bukauskas’ night with a devastating strike in the third round, but Bukauskas’ presence in the cage is a victory in itself. His story reminds us that sometimes, just showing up is the biggest win.
6. Setting the Stage published at 03:06 GMT
Before we hype up the main event, let’s catch you up on the highlights from UFC 324 so far.
7. Tonight’s Fight Card published at 03:04 GMT
UFC 324 is stacked with five must-watch bouts:
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (featherweight)
- Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas (women’s flyweight)
- Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis (heavyweight)
- Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong (bantamweight)
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (lightweight interim title)
8. The Main Event published at 03:02 GMT
Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett—this is the fight everyone’s talking about. Can Pimblett bring the interim title to Liverpool, or will Gaethje stand in his way? We’re moments away from finding out. But here’s the question: Who are you rooting for, and why? Let’s hear your predictions in the comments!