The return of the UFC is almost among us as the first event of the year draws closer, leaving MMA fans filled with anticipation.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett battle it out for the interim lightweight title in what can only be a guaranteed war in the main event.
Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong step up as the co-headliners after the women’s bantamweight championship bout was cancelled between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes.
UFC 324 has an incredibly stacked fight card in its introduction to 2026, and these five fights will be worth watching.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick lewis
A heavyweight clash that could put either knockout artist one fight away from an undisputed title shot.
Cortes-Acosta was one of the most active fighters in 2025, competing five times and earning four victories over the likes of Ryan Spann, Serghei Spivac, Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev.
‘Salsa Boy’ is currently on a two-fight win streak with both of those triumphs ending with a first-round knockout.
The #5 contender has stopped nine of his 16 conquered opponents in MMA, salvaging eight KO/TKO wins and one submission.
Lewis only had one bout last year, but it ended in quick fashion as he stopped Tallison Teixeira by first-round TKO in 35 seconds at UFC Nashville.
‘The Black Beast’ is one of the most experienced heavyweights on the roster, holding the record for most knockouts in UFC history with 16.
With 29 professional wins on his record, the former title challenger has claimed 24 knockouts and one submission victory.
Both men prefer to strike when they’re in the Octagon, and knowing the power they possess, this may be a short slugfest.
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva
A featherweight contest involving two potential title challengers for the future, as England takes on Brazil in the main card.
Due to injury, Allen has not fought since July 2024 when he scored an unanimous decision win over Giga Chikadze at UFC 304.
‘Almighty’ has only come up short twice in his career, suffering back-to-back decision losses to Movsar Evloev and current BMF Champion Max Holloway.
While he has never been stopped in his MMA career, the #6 contender holds 11 finishes with seven ending by KO/TKO and four by submission.
Silva’s triumphant run came to an end in his last battle when he lost by second-round TKO to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC, the first time he has ever been finished in his professional career.
Since his UFC debut, the 29-year-old has been on a vicious rise with brutal stoppage victories over Bryce Mitchell and Drew Dober.
The #10-ranked 145-pound fighter has only gone the distance once in his MMA stint, earning 12 knockouts and three submissions.
Silva is hoping to make the most of his second chance to rise up the rankings, but Allen aims to maintain his position in what will be a high-paced battle.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo
The featured prelim brings a high-level fight which could decide Petr Yan’s next challenger for the bantamweight championship.
Nurmagomedov redeemed his title loss to Merab Dvalishvili when he went to the judges’ scorecards with Mario Bautista to win by unanimous decision at UFC 321.
The Russian was previously undefeated before his opportunity for the undisputed belt, earning impressive victories over Cory Sandhagen and Raoni Barcelos.
The #2 contender has claimed nine finishes from his 19 wins, stopping two of his opponents by knockout and seven by submission.
Figueiredo returned to winning ways in his last bout, breaking his two-fight losing streak with a split decision triumph against Montel Jackson at UFC Rio.
The former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion made the jump to 135 pounds in December 2023 and earned valuable victories against Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Despite going the distance more recently in his career, ‘Deus da Guerra’ can pull off some insane finishes as he’s produced nine knockouts and submissions.
Nurmagomedov is in need of a win in order to get a second chance at being like his brother, Khabib, by becoming a UFC Champion, while Figueiredo hunts for title glory to eventually become a two-division champion.
Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev
A scary Cameroonian prospect looks to make another knockout statement, but a Russian newcomer is aiming to slow down the hype train.
Gautier was one of the biggest breakout stars of 2025 after earning three successive first-round knockouts.
The 23-year-old made his presence in the UFC middleweight division after earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), claiming a second-round knockout win over Yura Naito.
‘The Silent Assassin’ has only lost once in his career, by a split decision, and has knocked out eight of his nine conquered opponents.
Pulyaev obtained his first UFC victory in his last fight after defeating Nick Klein by second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 108.
The Chita-born mixed martial artist was also summoned to the UFC from DWCS, earning a decision win over Liam Anderson.
The 28-year-old has an 80% finish rate, with six KO/TKO victories and two submissions, all of which he’s shown in the Shlemenko Fighting Championship (SFC).
While all the attention will be set on the future African 185-pound fighter, you cannot easily rule out an upset from Pulyaev.
Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez
Two experienced lightweights go toe-to-toe, both with impressive win streaks on the line as a win could gift them a place in the top 15.
Johnson is on a three-fight win streak and only fought once last year, as he comfortably defeated Daniel Zellhuber by unanimous decision at UFC 318.
Throughout his career, ‘The Menace’ has faced tough competition, including Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Nate Diaz.
The 39-year-old has a record of 25-19, earning 12 finishes whilst being on the receiving end of 12 stoppage losses.
Hernandez was nothing but successful last year, claiming three consecutive wins in 2025, including knockouts over Chase Hooper and Diego Ferreira.
‘The Great Ape’ is currently on a win streak of four, which is the longest he’s had in the UFC since joining the organisation in March 2018.
With 18 professional MMA victories, the 33-year-old has salvaged eight knockouts and two submissions..
It’s veteran vs veteran in the 155-pound division, which will make it more exciting as both men love to strike and grapple for as much as possible.
