Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong meet in the UFC 324 co-main event on Saturday, January 24th
O’Malley is coming off back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili
Check out our O’Malley vs Song prediction, odds and fight breakdown below
Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley looks to get back on track when he faces Song Yadong in the UFC 324 co-main event this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
O’Malley lost his title and then the rematch to Merab Dvalishvili. Now with Petr Yan holding the belt after his upset win at UFC 323, O’Malley has a path back to a title shot. He already owns a win over Yan, controversial as it was.
Here’s my O’Malley vs Song prediction, odds breakdown and tale of the tape.
O’Malley vs Song Prediction
This is a striker vs striker matchup, and that suits O’Malley well. His problems against Dvalishvili came from the relentless wrestling and pressure. Song doesn’t bring that. He wants to stand and trade.
O’Malley has a 3-inch height advantage and 5-inch reach advantage. He lands 6.30 significant strikes per minute at 61% accuracy. Song lands 4.58 at 50% accuracy. The volume and precision edge goes to O’Malley.
🫡 Co-main event.
Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong.
Some of the most beautiful boxing in the UFC.
🎥 @ufc pic.twitter.com/xNmDuMNO8F
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 24, 2026
Song is durable and carries power, but he’s come up short against elite competition. He lost to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen when the level stepped up. O’Malley should be able to control distance, work behind his jab, and outpoint him over three rounds.
I don’t expect a finish. O’Malley’s last knockout was Aljamain Sterling in 2023, and Song has only been stopped twice. This should go to the scorecards. Lock in your bet and watch “Suga” do his thing on Paramount+.
O’Malley vs Song Pick:
Sean O’Malley by Decision (+100 at DraftKings)
O’Malley vs Song Odds
| Fighter | Moneyline | Method of Victory |
|---|---|---|
| Sean O’Malley | -205 | KO/TKO: +350 Decision: +100 |
| Song Yadong | +170 | KO/TKO: +600 Decision: +300 |
| Total Rounds | ||
| Over 2.5 rounds | -270 | |
| Under 2.5 rounds | +200 | |
| Fight to Go the Distance | ||
| Yes | -225 | |
| No | +165 | |
O’Malley opened around -185 and has been bet up to -205. The public is all over O’Malley with 82% of bets placed on the former champ.
The over 2.5 rounds at -270 and fight to go the distance at -225 tell you oddsmakers expect this to hit the scorecards. That lines up with O’Malley by decision at +100, which offers the best value on the board if you think he wins but doesn’t get the finish.
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKOffer
T&Cs
Sign Up Today & Receive Up to
$1,050 in Bonuses!
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
LOCK IN PROMO
SIGNUP PROMO
SIGN UP
& GET $1,050BONUS BETS + DEPOSIT BONUS
GET PROMO
Odds as of January 23rd at DraftKings Sportsbook. Grab a DraftKings promo code for UFC 324.
O’Malley vs Song Tale of the Tape
| O’Malley | Statistic | Song Yadong |
|---|---|---|
| 18-3 | Record | 22-8-1 |
| 31 | Age | 28 |
| 5’11” | Height | 5’8″ |
| 72″ | Reach | 67″ |
| 6.30 | Sig. Str. Per Min | 4.58 |
| 61.73% | Sig. Str. Accuracy | 49.79% |
| 60% | Str. Defense | 55% |
The size difference stands out. O’Malley has 3 inches in height and 5 inches in reach over Song. That’s a lot to overcome for a fighter who needs to get inside to do his best work.
O’Malley is the most accurate striker in UFC bantamweight history at 61.73%. He also lands significantly more volume at 6.30 strikes per minute compared to Song’s 4.58. Those numbers matter in a fight that’s likely going the distance.
Song does have power. He’s tied with O’Malley for six career knockdowns landed. But he’s been stopped twice, including a TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen. O’Malley has only been finished once, a leg injury against Chito Vera back in 2020.
O’Malley Recent Fights
Loss to Merab Dvalishvili via submission (north-south choke, R3) – June 2025
Loss to Merab Dvalishvili via decision – September 2024
Win over Marlon Vera via TKO (R1) – March 2024
Win over Aljamain Sterling via KO (R2) – August 2023
Win over Petr Yan via decision – October 2022
Song Recent Fights
Win over Henry Cejudo via technical decision (eye poke) – February 2025
Loss to Petr Yan via decision – March 2024
Win over Ricky Simon via KO (R1) – September 2023
Win over Chris Gutierrez via decision – May 2023
Loss to Cory Sandhagen via TKO (R4) – September 2022
O’Malley is coming off a 231-day layoff, the fourth longest of his UFC career. Song has been out even longer at 336 days after a scheduled fight in Shanghai fell through.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBD1500 TO GET UP TO $1,500 PAID BACK
CLAIM OFFER
BET365 SPORTSBOOKBET $10 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS WITH CODE DIME365
CLAIM OFFER
THESCORE BET SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE DIME TO GET 100% BET RESET UP TO $1,000
CLAIM OFFER
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $300 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS!
CLAIM OFFER
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $250 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS!
CLAIM OFFER
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBDDYW & DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 10 WAGERS!
CLAIM OFFER
FANATICS SPORTSBOOKGET 100% BET MATCH UP TO $100 FOR 10 DAYS
CLAIM OFFER
DRAFTKINGS T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
BET365 SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.
BETMGM T&Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.