Sean O’Malley once again proved why he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC as he defeated Song Yadong by decision at UFC 324.
The fight was expected to be a tough clash of speed, power, and technique, and both fighters lived up to the hype.
While O’Malley walked away with the win, Song Yadong delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career, showing major improvements in his striking and takedown skills.
The matchup had fans excited long before UFC 324 began, and when the cage door closed, both fighters showed they came prepared.
The fight was competitive from start to finish, with momentum shifting several times.
Song Yadong pushed the pace early, but Sean O’Malley’s experience, accuracy, and timing helped him take control in the key moments that mattered.
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A Fast and Competitive Start
From the opening round, Song Yadong made it clear that he was not intimidated by O’Malley’s striking reputation.
His footwork looked sharper than before, and he mixed his punches with fast leg kicks to slow down O’Malley’s movement.
Song’s striking combinations were more polished than in previous fights, and every exchange showed how much he has grown as a fighter.
Sean O’Malley took his time adjusting to Song’s aggressive approach. Known for his calm and calculated style, O’Malley used feints and jabs to control the distance.
Once he found his rhythm, he began landing clean shots that forced Song to reset. With every round, the fight became more intense, keeping the fans on their feet.
Song Yadong’s Improved Striking and Takedowns
While O’Malley is usually the more technical striker in his fights, this matchup was far more competitive. Song Yadong impressed everyone with his power and movement.
His head movement was better, his counters were sharp, and he showed confidence in standing right in front of O’Malley.
One of the biggest surprises came from Song’s wrestling. He secured multiple takedowns throughout the fight, exposing a clear weakness in O’Malley’s ground game.
Whenever the fight hit the mat, Song was the one in control. He applied pressure, landed short shots, and forced O’Malley to defend constantly.
At moments, it looked like Song might completely shift the fight in his favor with his grappling dominance.
Sean O’Malley Struggles on the Ground
O’Malley’s ground game became a major talking point during and after the fight.
Song Yadong successfully exposed the gaps in O’Malley’s grappling, especially when it came to defending takedowns and regaining dominant positions.
Every time the fight went to the canvas, O’Malley appeared uncomfortable. His scrambles were not as sharp, and Song took advantage with solid control time.
Although Song did not secure a submission, his ground pressure clearly affected O’Malley’s energy and rhythm.
This weakness may be something O’Malley will need to address as he continues to face tougher and more well-rounded fighters in the UFC.
Still, even with his ground difficulties, O’Malley remained dangerous whenever the fight returned to the feet.
O’Malley’s Striking Turns the Fight Around
What ultimately separated O’Malley from Song was his striking accuracy and timing. When he started landing clean jabs and step-in knees, the momentum shifted strongly in his favor.
His punches were sharp, precise, and strategically placed, while his knees repeatedly caught Song as he tried to move forward.
Several of O’Malley’s shots caused visible damage, and one of his clean jabs opened a cut on Song Yadong that started bleeding quickly.
The blood did not stop Song from fighting aggressively, but it allowed O’Malley to take control of the striking exchanges in the later rounds.
O’Malley’s ability to stay composed under pressure also played a huge role. Even after being taken down and controlled, he remained patient and waited for opportunities to strike. His experience inside high-pressure fights proved to be the difference.
A Hard-Fought Decision Win
After three high-paced rounds, the judges scored the fight in favor of Sean O’Malley by decision.
While the win went to O’Malley, fans and analysts agreed that Song Yadong delivered one of the best performances of his career.
His striking, his improved movement, and his strong takedowns showed that he is becoming a complete fighter.
For O’Malley, the victory adds another impressive name to his record, but it also highlights areas he needs to improve, especially his ground defense.
Even though his grappling was exposed, his striking remained world-class. Those sharp jabs, clean knees, and accurate counters were enough to secure the win in a close, competitive matchup.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
Sean O’Malley remains one of the top names in the division, and this win strengthens his chances for another big fight or a title opportunity soon.
His striking continues to be his strongest weapon, and if he can fix the issues in his ground game, he will be even more dangerous.
Song Yadong, despite the loss, leaves UFC 324 with huge respect. This performance showed he is evolving and ready for bigger challenges.
With improvements in his wrestling and striking, he will continue to be a threat to anyone in his division.
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