The model new Paramount+ period will get underway for the UFC on Saturday night time, as UFC 324 kicks off the promotion’s 2026 occasion schedule.
Forward of combat night time, RDX Sports‘ Editor-in-Chief Simon Head provides up some burning questions that we’ll hopefully get solutions to because the motion unfolds at T-Cellular Enviornment on Saturday night time.
Is Paddy Pimblett the actual deal?
All through his profession, Paddy Pimblett has been continually underrated. His larger-than-life character has seen him develop into a lightning rod for opinion, good and unhealthy, with some pointing to his power of schedule as a purpose to doubt him, whereas others choose to level to his clear enchancment combat to combat as he has risen up the ranks.
No matter which facet of the fence you end up in that argument, it’s universally agreed that Saturday’s combat with Justin Gaethje represents the most important, and hardest, combat in Pimblett’s profession to this point.
“The Spotlight” is battle-tested towards the perfect within the sport, he’s held interim championship gold earlier than, in addition to the BMF title. And his status as one of the vital harmful forces within the light-weight division is nicely deserved.
For Pimblett to win towards Gaethje, he’ll need to stroll by way of the fireplace, and whereas he’s adamant that he’s made from the precise stuff, the proof received’t come till it occurs on Saturday night time.
Is Paddy the actual deal at 155 kilos? We’re about to seek out out.
Does Sean O’Malley have one other title run in him?
When Sean O’Malley exploded into the UFC by way of Dana White’s Contender Collection, it appeared as if he was on the quick observe to the highest. That run culminated in him capturing the undisputed bantamweight title, and it appeared as if the UFC had a bonafide celebrity within the making.
However, slightly than dominating the division, O’Malley’s title reign was shortlived. After one profitable title protection, he was dominated by Merab Dvalishvili as he misplaced his belt at UFC 306. Then, when he tried to get revenge and recapture the title within the rematch at UFC 316, O’Malley was defeated once more by the Georgian, this time by submission.
Now, after six months away, O’Malley is again, and able to present the most recent iteration of “The Sugar Present” when he takes on Chinese language contender Track Yadong within the co-main occasion of UFC 324.
His boxing is as sharp as anybody in a set of MMA gloves, and his capacity to attach from vary might show essential towards Track, who’s highly effective and well-rounded.
If he can defeat Track, one other title shot may not be too far-off. And if he’s construct on the teachings realized from his two losses to Dvalisvili, a second title reign may not be out of the query.
Will the Waldo Cortes-Acosta bandwagon maintain rolling?
Few fighters ever have a 12 months as unbelievable as Waldo Cortes-Acosta loved in 2025. The truth that the Dominican heavyweight fought 5 instances in a calendar 12 months is wonderful sufficient in itself, however throw within the data that he received 4 of them, and his 12 months turns into much more notable.
Now Cortes-Acosta finds himself ranked fifth within the UFC heavyweight division, and faces the formidable process of taking over eighth-ranked knockout artist Derrick Lewis, who stays the one most harmful puncher within the UFC.
“The Black Beast” has the all-time report for essentially the most knockouts within the UFC, and has the flexibility to flatline anybody with one punch. He’s planning on getting “Salsa Boy” out of there in brief order, however Cortes-Acosta will look to handle the space neatly and work his openings fastidiously towards such a harmful finisher.
If Cortes-Acosta can defeat Lewis, a title eliminator combat may very well be subsequent.
