The stakes could possibly be high at 135 kilos when the UFC arrives on Paramount+ in 2026.
While the promotion still has one final pay-per-view this 12 months before adopting a brand new model as a part of the UFC’s recent $7.7 billion broadcast deal, many have already been discussing the primary big card of the brand new 12 months.
Among the many earliest and potentially even first events of the Paramount era will likely be UFC 324 on January 24. Some huge fights are already being reported as within the works, including Kayla Harrison’s title defense against Amanda Nunes, and a featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and Jean Silva.
A few big-name bantamweights look set to affix them, but which two?
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Is Merab Dvalishvili the best bantamweight of all time?
Song Yadong seemingly reveals he’s fighting Sean O’Malley or Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 324
Song Yadong, the No. 5-ranked contender at 135 kilos, recently claimed to have signed a bout agreement for his return to motion.
In a post on Douyin, the Chinese version of Tiktok, Song revealed he will likely be competing at UFC 324 against either Sean O’Malley or Umar Nurmagomedov. That post was shared on X by Chris Presnell, a combat sports reporter who makes a speciality of Chinese MMA.
‘The Kung Fu Kid’ has not fought since UFC Seattle this past February. Song defeated Henry Cejudo via technical decision after the veteran American fighter was unable to proceed through a watch poke within the third round.
After Nurmagomedov’s win over Mario Bautista in October, he hinted at potentially trying to secure a second shot at Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight title by getting through Song.
O’Malley, meanwhile, has also addressed a possible matchup with the Chinese striker following consecutive defeats to the Georgian champion.
Speaking on his YouTube channel in September, ‘Suga’ said he liked the Song matchup and can be open to fighting him in early 2026.
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The bantamweight division is the focal point at UFC 323 with Merab Dvalishvili’s return
With Song’s post in mind, the brand new 12 months figures to start out with high stakes within the bantamweight division. And that may most actually be the case for the closing numbered event of 2025.
Dvalishvili and Petr Yan headline UFC 323 next Saturday in Las Vegas, because the Georgian looks to conclude his historic 12 months with a fourth successful title defense.
Their bout tops a pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena that features one other championship matchup, in addition to a bunch of other intriguing contests.
That features one other predominant card clash at 135 kilos, this time between retiring former two-division champ Cejudo and the up-and-coming Payton Talbott.
Which UFC 323 predominant card fight are you most excited for?
Whoever emerges from the predominant event as bantamweight king may not have long to attend before checking out their first challenger of 2026 judging by Song’s UFC 324 hint.