This is the UFC 324 live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, the bantamweight co-main event Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The former champion O’Malley stands at No. 5 at 135 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, with Song a few spots behind at No. 8.
O’Malley (18-3, 1 NC) could be one impressive performance away from another title shot despite being on a two-fight skid. Those losses came in consecutive championship fights against Merab Dvalishvili, but with Petr Yan having dethroned Dvalishvili at UFC 323 and O’Malley holding a previous win over Yan, the calculus could favor “Suga” when it comes time to book Yan’s next challenger if O’Malley is victorious.
He faces a tough test in Song (22-7-1, 2 NC) a longtime contender looking to finally break through into the upper echelon of the bantamweight division. This past February, Song headlined UFC Seattle where he scored a decision win over all-time great Henry Cejudo. That’s six wins in Song’s past eight outings now, and he’s poised to play the spoiler on Saturday.
Check out the UFC 324 live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong below.
With Umar Nurmagomedov having a kind of forgettable win earlier, Sean O’Malley is in even better position to potentially earn a title shot here. Let’s see what Song Yadong has to say about it, though.
Per FanDuel, Sean O’Malley is the man to beat at -225. Song Yadong is your underdog at +188.
Referee Herb Dean on hand for the co-main event.
Slick movement from O’Malley through the first minute, he’s making Song work to chase him while dipping in and out with range punches. Song using leg kicks to close the distance. O’Malley with an accurate teep, then a jab. He’s making it difficult for Song to advance.
Song ventures in with a left, but O’Malley avoids the worst of it. O’Malley targets the body with a punch and a front kick. Song sticking with the leg work, that could pay dividends later. O’Malley slips in a quick left as he moves side to side. Good leg kick by Song. O’Malley throws a leg kick and Song scores a takedown off of it. Guillotine attempt by O’Malley easily defended by Song. He closes the round on top in a close round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, O’Malley.
Song misses on a low kick and a spinning backfist, O’Malley having to stay focused defensively. Hard right down the middle from Song. They settle in at distance as they set up their next attacks. Counter left from Song, now it’s O’Malley who’s struggling to effectively move in.
Body lock from Song and he’s heavy on O’Malley against the fence. Not much damage being done, but O’Malley needs to move if he’s going to turn this round around. Suplex attempt by Song, blocked, but he sticks with it and body lock trips O’Malley down. Song now in O’Malley’s guard with over 90 seconds to go.
Back on the feet, the fighters again look to set up from range. This has been Song’s round so far and he’s not letting up. Leg kick from Song closes out this one.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Song. Overall, 19-19.
Song right back to the leg kicks. O’Malley to the body now, switching things up. O’Malley scores with a left hand, that could get him going. Straight left by O’Malley. Song’s nose is bloodied. Very low volume round for both fighters, as it has been for much of the contest.
Crowd is restless and they’re letting the fighters hear it. O’Malley dodges a takedown. Song pressing forward with his right hand. Counter right from O’Malley, that’s going to look good for the judges. Jab from O’Malley. Song continues to advance, he wants that one statement sequence that will lock in the round. O’Malley light on his feet and he’s starting to land with consistency at the right time. High knee catches Song with a minute to go. O’Malley left scores. Song points down with about 15 seconds to go but neither guy really commits.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, O’Malley. Overall, 29-28 O’Malley.
Official result: Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
“Petr Yan has something that I want,” O’Malley said. “All respect to Merab, if he gets the next shot, well-deserved, but Petr Yan, you want that rematch, I want that belt. Let’s make it happen. Go out there and take care of Merab if that’s what’s next. If not, let’s run it, baby!”
O’Malley’s daughter is bring in to make the celebration that much sweeter.
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