'Suga' Sean O'Malley returns to action in the co-main event at UFC 324 on Paramount+, looking to snap a two-fight skid and reinsert himself into the bantamweight title picture after a crushing loss to Merab Dvalishvili.
He'll face surging contender Song Yadong — a Chinese knockout artist looking for his statement win as his shortcut to a title shot, raising the stakes on this co-main event.
We’ll break down our Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong prediction and UFC 324 expert pick below, including PrizePicks UFC picks and key stats for this high-level showdown between two of the UFC’s best bantamweights.
You can make UFC predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks and earn money if you're right, including on Suga Sean vs. Song Yadong, now available in 30 states.
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Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong UFC 324 Preview
Sean O'Malley arrives at UFC 324 seeking redemption after back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili, losses that have complicated his path back to gold. The former champion still owns one of the division’s cleanest striking arsenals, but Suga's ability to stay upright against elite wrestlers remains under scrutiny.
Song Yadong brings relentless forward pressure and underrated grappling that could present problems for O’Malley’s defensive wrestling. The rising contender has climbed the bantamweight ranks with explosive striking and the cardio to maintain pace deep into fights, positioning himself as a legitimate threat to anyone in the division.
On paper, O’Malley holds the striking edge, but Song’s pressure, clinch work, and takedown attempts will stress his defensive wrestling.
This matchup shapes the bantamweight landscape, with the winner earning a legitimate claim to title contention vs. Merab in a loaded division.
UFC 324: Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong UFC 324 Payouts
Sean O’Malley enters this bantamweight bout as the favorite, returning a 1.44x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if he wins.
Song Yadong comes into this co-main event slot as the underdog with a 2.63x payout if he wins, via PrizePicks Team Picks
Game Winner Payout: Sean O’Malley 1.44x ($100 pays $144) | Song Yadong 2.63x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Suga Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong Prediction for UFC 324
Here are some stats to help you make your Suga Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong prediction for UFC 324 this Saturday night on PrizePicks.
- This co-main event is scheduled for three rounds.
- O’Malley’s 5-inch reach advantage (72" vs. 67") and 3-inch height edge (5'11" vs. 5'8") allow him to control distance and pick apart Song from range.
- Suga lands an elite 6.30 significant strikes per minute with 61% accuracy.
- Four consecutive five-round championship fight camps have elevated O'Malley's cardio and experience in deep-water situations.
- "Kung Fu Kid" absorbs just 4.00 significant strikes per minute while attempting 1.61 takedowns per 15 minutes (13 attempts over his last five fights).
- At 28, Song is three years younger and entering his physical prime against an opponent coming off back-to-back losses.
- Song has won three of his last four fights.
Suga Sean vs. Song Start Time, How to Watch UFC 324
- Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Time: Main Card – 9 p.m. ET | O’Malley vs. Song Start Time – 10:30 p.m. ET (estimate)
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
- TV: Paramount+ (streaming)
UFC 324: O'Malley vs. Yadong Tale of the Tape
Here are the key stats to know for O'Malley vs. Yadong at UFC 324.
Sean O’Malley Stats for UFC 324
Overall Record: 18-3
UFC Record: 10-3-0, 1 NC
Last 5 Fights: 3-2
Height: 5’11"
Reach: 72”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 6.3
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 0.27
Last Fight: Loss vs. Merab Dvalishvili by Submission in Round 3
Finishes: 13 (11 KO/TKO/2 SUB)
Song Yadong Stats for UFC 324
Overall Record: 22-8-1
UFC Record: 11-3-1
Last 5 Fights: 3-2
Height: 5’8"
Reach: 67”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.6
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 0.61
Last Fight: Win vs. Henry Cejudo by Technical Decision
Finishes: 12 (9 KO/TKO/3 SUB)
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Suga Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong Pick for UFC 324
Here is our expert UFC 324 prediction and pick for Suga Sean vs. Song Yadong. All picks are available via PrizePicks MMA board.
O’Malley vs. Song Pick: Sean O’Malley – 79.5 Significant Strikes
- Suga averages 6.30 significant strikes landed per minute, projecting to roughly 95 strikes over a full three-round fight.
- O'Malley has cleared 80 significant strikes in four of his last six bouts that went past the second round, including 230 against Marlon Vera and 84 vs. Petr Yan.
- He connects at an elite 61% clip.
- O'Malley's average fight time (11:19) suggests he will have ample time to accumulate significant strike volume, especially given Yadong's durability.
- In his last three fights alone, O'Malley has landed a combined 308 significant strikes (102 per fight average).
Make Your Suga Sean vs. Song Yadong Pick on PrizePicks
The co-main event pits the former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley against rising contender Song Yadong. Yadong will look to take a huge step forward in his bantamweight career as the underdog, while O'Malley needs a win to get back on track after two-straight losses vs. the champ Dvalishvili.
O’Malley vs. Yadong is the co-main event at UFC 324, the first UFC event to be broadcast live on Paramount+, live T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, this Saturday, January 24.
You can earn cash by locking in your UFC 324 predictions on PrizePicks — from the first fight of the night all the way to the lightweight main event. Pick your fighters, and win cash if you're right. You can also predict UFC fight winners on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
Keep it locked in here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for continued UFC picks, predictions, and news.
