"Suga" Sean O'Malley is finally back. After a rough 2025 where he dropped two straight to Merab Dvalishvili, the rainbow-haired superstar is looking to reclaim his spot at the top of the bantamweight heap. This time, he’s heading into the cage against the dangerous Song Yadong.
If you're asking what time does sean o malley fight, you aren't just looking for a number on a clock. You’re looking for the start of the UFC’s new era on Paramount+. This isn't your standard pay-per-view setup anymore.
What Time Does Sean O Malley Fight at UFC 324?
Basically, the whole schedule has shifted a bit with the new broadcast deal. For the fight on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the main card starts at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT).
Since O’Malley vs. Yadong is the co-main event of the night, you shouldn't expect them to walk out right at the start. Usually, with a five-fight main card, the co-main event fighters make their walk to the Octagon roughly two hours after the main card begins.
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Honestly, your best bet is to be tuned in by 11:00 PM ET (8:00 PM PT).
That gives you enough time to see the earlier scraps—like the heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Waldo Cortes-Acosta—without missing the O'Malley walkout. Keep in mind that MMA timing is notoriously fickle. If the undercard fights end in early first-round knockouts, Sean could be in the cage much sooner than expected.
The Full UFC 324 Fight Day Schedule
- Early Prelims: These start at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. You can catch these on UFC Fight Pass or Paramount+.
- Preliminary Card: The action ramps up at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET.
- Main Card: The big show starts at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET.
Where is the Fight Happening?
The event is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. If you're local or traveling in, those doors usually open around an hour before the early prelims. It’s going to be a loud one. The atmosphere in Vegas when O'Malley fights is always a bit different—more electricity, more pink hair in the stands, and definitely more tension.
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Why This Fight Against Song Yadong Matters
O'Malley is in a weird spot right now. He's currently ranked No. 3, but coming off those losses to Merab has some people questioning if he can handle the elite grapplers or the high-pressure strikers of the division. Song Yadong is no joke. He’s ranked No. 5 and has some of the fastest hands in the 135-pound class.
Actually, O'Malley himself has been pretty vocal about this on his YouTube channel. He knows Yadong has power in both hands. He’s not looking past him, but he is already eyeing a rematch with Petr Yan later in 2026—potentially at that rumored "White House" event Dana White has been teasing for the summer.
But he has to win this first. If he loses three in a row? The "Suga" era starts to look more like a memory than a current reality.
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Viewing Tips for the Paramount+ Era
Since this is one of the first major events under the new streaming partnership, don't wait until 8:59 PM to try and log in.
- Check your subscription. Make sure your Paramount+ account is active and updated.
- Bandwidth is key. MMA streams can be heavy. If you're watching in 4K, make sure nobody else in the house is hogging the Wi-Fi.
- The DVR feature. If you’re running late, most streaming platforms allow you to start from the beginning, but watching Sean O'Malley live is always a better experience. The spoilers on social media move faster than a Suga Sean jab.
The stakes are massive for the bantamweight division tonight. With Petr Yan back on the throne after beating Merab at UFC 323, the path to a title shot is open again, but only for the person who leaves the T-Mobile Arena with their hand raised.
To stay ahead of the action, make sure your streaming app is updated on your smart TV or mobile device at least an hour before the 9:00 PM ET main card start. If you are watching from the UK or Europe, prepare for a very late night—the main card won't start until 2:00 AM GMT on Sunday morning. Set those alarms now so you don't miss the walkouts.