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 this fight card. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Live Updates from the Octagon
Charlotte Coates, Josh Lobley, Paul Battison, and Coral Barry are bringing you every punch, kick, and submission attempt as it happens. Here’s what’s gone down so far:
1. The Fighter Who Bakes Bread (Published at 03:17 GMT)
Rose Namajunas, a two-time former UFC strawweight champion, is currently battling Natalia Silva in a flyweight bout that could set her up for a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko. But here’s where it gets personal: Namajunas isn’t just a fighter; she’s also a passionate bread baker. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old American revealed her love for freshly-milled flour, calling it ‘healthier and better for you.’ She admits, ‘I’m not much of a baker, but bread? I can do that because I love the process and the taste.’ And this is the part most people miss—fighters are humans with hobbies too!
2. The Knockout That Wasn’t (Published at 03:15 GMT)
Jean Silva secured a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Allen in a featherweight bout, but his post-fight comments were surprisingly humble. ‘I wanted to knock him out so badly,’ Silva admitted, ‘but my team kept telling me to wait.’ Here’s the controversial part: Silva apologized to Allen after the fight, saying, ‘I admire him so much. It was hard for me to fight someone I look up to.’ Is it ever okay to apologize to your opponent? Let’s discuss in the comments!
3. A Cat Lover’s Tale (Published at 03:13 GMT)
Arnold Allen may have lost on points, but he won hearts by bringing his cat, Fish, to Vegas. Fun fact: We’re still wondering if Fish made it into the T-Mobile Arena. Because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a feline fight companion?
4. From Heart Surgery to the Octagon (Published at 03:11 GMT)
Modestas Bukauskas suffered a stoppage loss to Nikita Krylov, but his journey to the cage is nothing short of inspiring. At 19, Bukauskas underwent a five-hour heart surgery while fully awake. ‘They had wires going up my groin into my heart,’ he recalled. ‘It was brutal.’ His story is a testament to resilience. But here’s the question: Does overcoming adversity outside the cage make a fighter’s loss more bearable? Share your thoughts below.
5. The Fight Card You Can’t Miss (Published at 03:04 GMT)
UFC 324 is stacked with must-watch bouts:
- Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight)
- Rose Namajunas vs. Natalia Silva (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)
6. The Main Event: Gaethje vs. Pimblett (Published at 03:02 GMT)
It doesn’t get bigger than this. Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett is aiming to become the UFC lightweight interim champion, but Justin Gaethje stands in his way. Here’s the burning question: Can Pimblett dethrone one of the most dangerous fighters in the division? Or will Gaethje prove too much to handle? Let’s find out together.
Stay tuned as we bring you live updates, controversial takes, and all the action from UFC 324. Who are you rooting for? Drop your predictions in the comments—we want to hear from you!
