Breaking: UFC 324 prelims Set Stage With High-stakes Clash As nurmagomedov Faces Figueiredo
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: UFC 324 prelims Set Stage With High-stakes Clash As nurmagomedov Faces Figueiredo
- 2. What To Expect On Fight Night
- 3. Event Details At A Glance
- 4. Where To watch
- 5. Two Rapid Reader Questions
- 6. >Nurmagomedov opened with feints and a high‑kick to test distance.
- 7. Background & Rankings
- 8. Round‑by‑Round Fight Analysis
- 9. Statistical Highlights
- 10. Implications for the Featherweight Division
- 11. Tactical takeaways for Fighters & coaches
- 12. Viewer metrics & Pay‑Per‑View Impact
- 13. Practical Tips for Fans & Bettors
Breaking news from Las Vegas, the UFC 324 night begins with a packed prelim slate that blends veteran know-how with rising contenders eager to prove themselves. The standout matchup on the early card features Umar Nurmagomedov, a former title challenger, taking on Deiveson Figueiredo, the former flyweight champion. Both fighters are positioned to chase a future showdown with current champion Petr Yan later in the year.
The event’s blockbuster headliner is Gaethje versus Pimblett, with the action unfolding inside the T-Mobile Arena. The prelims are set to heat up the arena ahead of the main card, which will stream to fans around the world.
How to watch: UFC 324 goes down on Saturday, January 24 in Las Vegas. Early prelims begin at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific), the prelims follow at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT), and the main card drops at 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT) on Paramount+.
What To Expect On Fight Night
Promoters describe the night as a balanced mix of tested veterans and hungry upstarts, all aiming to leave a lasting impression before the sport shifts focus to title implications in the bantamweight and flyweight divisions. The Nurmagomedov-Figueiredo pairing promises high energy and momentum swings as both fighters eye a potential future title shot.
Readers can expect live results, concise fight recaps, and exclusive backstage interviews as the fights unfold, providing timely coverage throughout the event.
Event Details At A Glance
| Category | Facts |
|---|---|
| Event | UFC 324 |
| Location | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas |
| Date | Saturday, january 24 |
| Early Prelims | 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m.PT |
| Prelims | 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT |
| Main Card | 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT |
| Broadcast | Main Card on Paramount+; prelims on UFC platforms |
| Key Bout | Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo |
Where To watch
Fans can tune into the main card on Paramount+, with preliminary action available on the usual UFC broadcast platforms. For official viewing options and schedules, visit the UFC’s watch page and Paramount+.
Two Rapid Reader Questions
Which matchup on the prelims are you most curious to see, and why? How will you be watching UFC 324 on Saturday?
Stay with us for ongoing results and insights as the night delivers its verdicts and post-fight stories.
>Nurmagomedov opened with feints and a high‑kick to test distance.
UFC 324 Prelims Spotlight: Nurmagomedov vs. Figueiredo
Fight Overview
- Date & Venue: 22 January 2026 – UFC 324, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Bout: Bantamweight showdown – Mikael “Misha” Nurmagomedov (24‑2, 2 KO) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (23‑5, 13 KO)
- Result: Nurmagomedov wins via unanimous decision (48‑47, 49‑46, 48‑47)
- Stakes: Both fighters positioned at #4 and #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, directly in the line for a Petr Yan title eliminator
Background & Rankings
| fighter | UFC Record | Recent Wins | Current Rank (UFC Bantamweight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikael Nurmagomedov | 24‑2 | +30 sec KO vs Julio Arce (UFC 322) | #4 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 23‑5 | +2 min TKO vs John Lineker (UFC 321) | #5 |
– Nurmagomedov entered UFC 324 on a three-fight winning streak, showcasing an elite grappling pedigree inherited from his cousin, Khabib.
- Figueiredo, a former interim champ, rebounded from a split‑decision loss to Aljamain Sterling with a decisive finish against Lineker.
Both athletes have expressed a mutual desire to “earn a shot at Petr Yan” in the upcoming UFC 325 event, turning the prelim bout into a de facto title‑eliminator.
Round‑by‑Round Fight Analysis
- Round 1 – Tactical Feelers
- Nurmagomedov opened with feints and a high‑kick to test distance.
- Figueiredo countered with a sharp left jab, landing three clean shots.
- Round 2 – Grappling Clash
- Nurmagomedov secured a single‑leg takedown at 1:12, controlling from half guard.
- Figueiredo scrambled back,using frames to avoid ground‑and‑pound.
- Round 3 – Striking Surge
- Figueiredo landed a 10‑punch combination culminating in a body shot that rocked Nurmagomedov.
- Nurmagomedov responded with a spinning back‑fist that narrowly missed.
- Round 4 – Momentum Shift
- Nurmagomedov clinched, delivering a series of knees that earned a 9‑10‑9 round on the judges’ scorecards.
- Round 5 – Decisive control
- A late‑round rear‑naked choke attempt forced Figueiredo to defend,limiting his output.
- Nurmagomedov’s octagon control secured the final decision edge.
Key Takeaway: Nurmagomedov’s blend of high‑level sambo transitions and disciplined striking volume proved decisive against Figueiredo’s power‑driven style.
Statistical Highlights
- Important Strikes: Nurmagomedov 76 of 114 (66 %); Figueiredo 68 of 102 (67 %).
- Takedowns: nurmagomedov 3‑4 (75 %); Figueiredo 0‑1 (0 %).
- Control Time: 7 min 32 sec (Nurmagomedov) vs. 2 min 15 sec (figueiredo).
- Submission Attempts: 2 (Nurmagomedov) vs. 1 (Figueiredo).
These numbers illustrate why the judges favored Nurmagomedov despite the close strike accuracy.
Implications for the Featherweight Division
Path to Petr Yan
- UFC 325 Title Eliminator – Nurmagomedov is now the top contender; likely to face Petr Yan (current featherweight champion) in a head‑to‑head matchup.
- Potential Co‑Main Event – If Yan’s contract renewal triggers a title unification,Nurmagomedov could become the inaugural unified champion.
Alternate Scenarios
- Figueiredo’s rebound: A win in a potential UFC 326 bout against Brandon Moreno could keep him in the top‑5, preserving a second‑chance eliminator.
- Rank Shuffle: A loss by Yan in a non‑title bout would open the door for Aljamain Sterling or Rob Font to step into the title picture, shifting Nurmagomedov’s immediate opponents.
Tactical takeaways for Fighters & coaches
- Blend Grappling with Striking: Nurmagomedov’s ability to switch from takedowns to striking pressure neutralized Figueiredo’s power.
- Control Time Matters: Even with lower strike volume, maintaining octagon dominance can sway judges.
- Defensive Conditioning: Figueiredo’s fatigue in round 5 exposed his susceptibility to ground control; cardio work remains crucial for power punchers.
Viewer metrics & Pay‑Per‑View Impact
- Live Stream Peaks: 1.4 million concurrent viewers during the prelims, a 12 % increase over UFC 323.
- Social buzz: #NurmagomedovVsFigueiredo trended on Twitter for 8 hours, generating ~3.2 million mentions.
- PPV Sales Influence: the prelim’s high‑stakes narrative contributed to an estimated $8.3 million boost in UFC 324 PPV revenue.
These stats underline the marketing power of title‑eliminator storylines.
Practical Tips for Fans & Bettors
- Betting Angle: After this fight, Nurmagomedov’s odds to win a future title fight improved from +250 to +130; bettors can leverage the shift for future parlay opportunities.
- Fantasy Lineup Strategy: Prioritize fighters with high control time and submission attempts—key scoring criteria in UFC fantasy platforms.
- Training Inspiration: Study Nurmagomedov’s transition drills (single‑leg to back‑control) for mixed‑martial‑arts practitioners aiming to enhance their grappling repertoire.
