TLDR
- Kayla Harrison’s injury forced her out of UFC 324 title fight against Amanda Nunes
- Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong promoted to co-main event slot
- O’Malley looking to end two-fight losing streak after consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili
- Song Yadong enters with 3-1 record in last four fights, only loss to Petr Yan
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett remains main event for interim lightweight championship
Sources: Yardbarker | TMZ Sports
UFC 324 received a major card reshuffle this week after bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison suffered an injury that forced her out of her scheduled title fight against Amanda Nunes. The bout has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
With the Harrison vs. Nunes fight removed from the lineup, UFC officials confirmed Wednesday that the bantamweight matchup between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong has been promoted to the new co-main event slot. The fight was originally scheduled lower on the main card.
O’Malley Looks to End Losing Streak
Sean O’Malley enters the fight in unfamiliar territory, looking to snap a two-fight losing streak. The former bantamweight champion suffered back-to-back defeats to Merab Dvalishvili, dropping him from his position as the face of the division.
“Suga” now finds himself in a must-win scenario to reassert his place among the elite fighters at 135 pounds. The pressure is on for O’Malley to prove he still belongs in championship contention.
Song Yadong comes into the fight with momentum on his side, posting a 3-1 record in his last four fights. His only loss during that stretch came against current bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
The Chinese fighter has quietly climbed the rankings and sees this elevated slot as an opportunity to break into title contention. A win over a former champion like O’Malley would carry weight in the bantamweight division.
6 days until Sean O’Malley Returns #UFC324 pic.twitter.com/3lGLun3LAe
— UFC FIFTH ROUND (@UFCFIFTHROUND) January 18, 2026
Other Changes to UFC 324 Card
The card reshuffle also affected other fights on the evening. The women’s flyweight bout between Natalia Silva and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas was moved from the prelims to the main card.
Silva remains undefeated in the UFC with a 7-0 record. A win over a former champion like Namajunas could push her into title contention at 125 pounds.
Namajunas has gone 3-1 in her past four fights since moving up to flyweight. She has recorded recent wins over Miranda Maverick and Tracy Cortez as she continues her climb toward another championship opportunity.
The main event remains unchanged despite the card reshuffle. Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 324 against Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
The winner will be crowned interim champion and likely face the undisputed champion in a future unification bout. The fight pairs Gaethje’s proven resume against Pimblett’s rising star power.
UFC commentator Jon Anik told TMZ Sports this week that he’s hopeful Harrison and Nunes can reschedule their fight in six to eight months. Anik called it “as big a fight as we can put together in the men’s or women’s game.”
The UFC has not announced an official date for when Harrison vs. Nunes will be rescheduled. UFC 324 takes place on January 24 on Paramount+.
