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UFC 324 Salaries For Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje and Sean O’Malley

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The UFC opened its new ‘Paramount era’ on Saturday night as UFC 324 took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event was the first in the company’s new $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount+ and a return to action after a six-week break.

In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley returned to action against Song Yadong in a contender fight at bantamweight, while in the headline bout, Paddy Pimblett took on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.

Below is a look at the action in the main fights, alongside the salaries for selected fighters on the card.

Justin Gaethje Defeats Paddy Pimblett in All-Out War

Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett

Going into UFC 324, lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett was undefeated in his seven fights in the promotion. His most recent bout was a dismantling of perennial contender Michael Chandler, and the Scouser’s youth and success in his bouts with the company so far left him a favourite to claim gold on Saturday night.

However, Gaethje proved too much for the Liverpudlian. With a wealth of experience against the best at lightweight, he proved that doubts about his age were unfounded as he immediately pulled away in the bout.

The first round was competitive, but ‘The Highlight’ found his mark as he managed to drop Pimblett with an uppercut in the midst of his relentless pressure. The Scouser recovered well though and managed to land on Gaethje himself, finding success with his knees and leg kicks.

In the second round, Gaethje’s pressure continued and the Scouser often found himself pushed back against the cage. The American then floored Pimblett with a knee from the front headlock position before scoring another knockdown with a right hand against the fence. Paddy ended the round on his back, with Gaethje landing some heavy ground and pound. After a review, it was found that Gaethje landed an illegal eyepoke in this final sequence that proved pivotal to the knockdown, but referee Marc Goddard unfortunately missed this foul.

Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

Leaving the corner in the third round, Pimblett adjusted his game plan and appeared revitalised. He used his footwork to stay in the centre of the cage and keep away from the fence when possible, allowing him to deal with Gaethje’s pressure more successfully. The rest of the fight was more even than the opening rounds, with both fighters weathering a storm of strikes and being hurt back and forth.

However, Gaethje negated Pimblett’s wrestling where necessary and was successful with his counters and pressure, comfortably winning on all judges’ scorecards 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46.

Defying the odds and comfortably beating the younger contender, Gaethje now likely faces the undefeated champion Ilia Topuria in his next bout to unify the belts at lightweight. Reacting to the bout, Topuria tweeted that ‘all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.’

Sean O’Malley Back to Winning Ways Against Song Yadong

The co-main event at UFC 324 saw former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley return to action against contender Song Yadong in his first fight since back-to-back losses against fellow former champion Merab Dvalishvili. After claiming the belt against O’Malley, the latter went on to have a dominating title reign before losing it to current champion Petr Yan at UFC 323, the final pay-per-view event of 2025 and the company’s history.

Looking to get back to winning ways, O’Malley fought in his familiar fluid style, finding success in the first round by staying on the outside and using his range to counter Yadong and attack his body. However, his opponent landed leg kicks and ended the round with a successful takedown, ending the round on top of him.

The second round saw Yadong find more success in the grappling, landing multiple takedowns and using the threat of the grappling to have moments of success with his hands.

Sean O'Malley vs Song Yadong

The third round was the best for the former champion, landing some big straight left and right hands on his opponent as he advanced, constantly switching stances to keep his attacks varied and hard to predict. O’Malley managed to find his range and pick Yadong apart in the closing moments of the fight, allowing him to secure a very close win over a strong opponent and finally return to the win column with a unanimous 29-28 win.

In his post-fight speech, O’Malley called for a shot at the belt against old opponent Petr Yan. However, he was respectful to rival Merab Dvalishvili and said that he understood if the latter got a shot at the bantamweight belt first in light of his long reign as champion.

UFC 324 Fighter Earnings

The main event winner and long-tenured UFC veteran, Justin Gaethje, fittingly took home the most money on the night; his $2,892,000 payout almost double that of his more junior opponent. Pimblett still had a successful night, however, taking home a cool $1,532,000; that more than covered the $150,000 he spent on tickets to the event.

The former champion O’Malley also doubled his opponent’s purse; his $1,021,000 purse was very strong, but a touch diminished from his days as champion.

Other UFC 324 salaries (selected)

Fighter

Estimated total payout

Sean O’Malley

$1,021,000

Song Yadong

$512,000

Derrick Lewis

$420,000

Umar Nurmagomedov

$355,000

Nikita Krylov

$295,000

Charles Johnson

$263,750

Deiveson Figueiredo

$240,000

Rose Namajunas

$215,000

Modestas Bukauskas

$210,000

Waldo Cortes Acosta

$210,000

Arnold Allen

$160,000

Jean Silva

$155,000

Ty Miller

$128,000

Adam Fugitt

$65,000

Andrey Pulyaev

$28,000

Denzel Freeman

$24,000

What Next For UFC

The UFC does not stop its momentum in the new Paramount+ era as we immediately enter another fight week. This Saturday, the 1st of February, will see featherweight champion and fan-favourite Alexander Volkanovski take on Diego Lopes in a rematch for the belt, with two huge lightweight clashes taking place beforehand as favourites such as Dan Hooker and Mauricio Ruffy return to the Octagon.

It also sees the return of rising lightweight star Quillan Salkilld, as he returns to the cage against fellow Australian Jamie Mullarkey after his huge KO on Nasrat Haqparast in his last outing.

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Nottingham Forest May Have Already Won the Transfer Window Amid Fresh Update

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Nottingham Forest may have already secured their biggest bit of business this summer, if recent reports are to be believed.

It was a mixed season for Forest last term, which saw the Reds narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League while reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The East Midlands outfit sacked two managers in Nuno Espirito Santo and Sean Dyche over the course of the campaign, with their top-flight status in serious jeopardy. Eventually, the appointment of former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira in February proved to be inspired as Forest lost just one of their final ten Premier League matches, which included statement victories away at Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Sunderland, and survived relegation by five points.

Having seen his club finish seventh in the season prior, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will be hoping that the next campaign brings similar success, meaning that there will have to be significant investment at the City Ground this summer. However, potentially the Reds’ best bit of business this window won’t be a signing or sale.

Forest expected to keep hold of Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White

According to the Daily Mail, Forest are expected to keep hold of star player Morgan Gibbs-White for another season following the Englishman’s outstanding campaign.

The 26-year-old scored an impressive 15 goals in the Premier League last term, alongside three in the Europa League, and has been subject to interest from an array of clubs over the past 12 months.

Tottenham came extremely close to securing the attacking midfielder’s services last summer before Gibbs-White opted to sign a new five-year contract at the City Ground. The report claims that Spurs, as well as Chelsea, Aston Villa and Manchester United, remain admirers of the Englishman, but they all currently have players in his favoured position.

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Significant boost ahead of busy summer

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira looks on

Despite not making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, Gibbs-White remains one of the most prolific playmakers in the Premier League, meaning that if Forest were able to keep hold of their star player this summer, it would prove to be a significant boost.

Not only is that because of what the attacking midfielder can offer, but also because it appears unlikely that the Reds will be able to keep hold of all of their star players, most notably Elliot Anderson.

The midfielder, who did make the England squad, has already been subject to a bid from Manchester City and is expected to depart the City Ground this summer.

Forest, though, will only sell for an enormous fee and it is extremely likely that any deal done would see Anderson leave for over £100million, which would provide Pereira with an impressive kitty to reinvest into the squad.

That isn’t expected to be the only business at the City Ground this summer, but being able to keep hold of Gibbs-White this summer will be arguably better than a statement signing.

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Denmark FA Announce Special Measures For Players After Christian Eriksen Collapses

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Denmark’s Football Association have introduced special new measures for players after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Sunday’s international friendly against Ukraine.

The worrying incident occurred in the 65th minute of the match in Odense. Eriksen, 34, was seen holding his chest before the camera cut away to the bench. Concerned teammates immediately called medical staff onto the pitch.

Sunday’s incident brought back memories of Eriksen’s first collapse while playing against Finland at Euro 2020 in the summer of 2021. The playmaker suffered a cardiac arrest on that occasion and was fortunate to survive. Eriksen later revealed he “died for five minutes” before being resuscitated by medics.

The former Tottenham and Manchester United star was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) – a type of pacemaker – following his cardiac arrest five years ago.

National team doctor Morten Boesen suggested the ICD helped to save Eriksen on Sunday. He said: “Christian is doing well and walked off the pitch by himself.

“As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should. He was briefly unconscious, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident.”

Boesen added: “Christian is doing well, and he asked me to send his regards to all the players and tell them that he was okay.”

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Hojbjerg Reveals What He Saw

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Meanwhile, Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg told Danish broadcaster TV2: “There’s a throw-in, and then I go out to the side. I turn around a bit, and I see Christian on his way to the floor, and we know a little about how he reacts, what that means.

“[Everyone] reacted super-fast and with respect. I can only compliment how much courage those who took care of Christian on the field had.

“I can’t say much more than that you get a shock, and that the most important thing is that Christian is doing well.”

Danish FA Introduce Special Measures For Players

Denmark players

To help shocked teammates, Danish Football Association director Peter Moller confirmed special measures have been put in place following Sunday’s incident. Per The Sun, he said:

“We have made sure that no one travels home alone. They either travel home with parents, family or with each other as a group.

“I also know that Brian will be calling each player in the coming days and asking how they are doing and if they need anything.”

Denmark are acutely aware of the emotional impact such an incident can have on players, and have reacted quickly to ensure the squad receive the support they need.

The Danes failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and aren’t in action again until September 24, when they face Norway in the Nations League.

It’s currently unclear whether Eriksen, who currently plies his trade with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, will resume his playing career after collapsing for a second time.

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Van Hecke Only Wants to Join Tottenham With Savinho

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Tottenham Hotspur have moved one step closer to signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion after he agreed to join, according to Voetbal International.

The summer transfer window doesn’t open for another week, but Tottenham have already been busy in the market as they look to ensure they don’t repeat the two 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League in the last two seasons.

Andy Robertson has already completed his free transfer move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having already agreed to join in the January transfer window, while Marcos Senesi will also join for nothing imminently, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Having got two free transfers over the line for Roberto De Zerbi, attentions are turning to big-money signings for the Italian that will transform a squad that has struggled domestically for two years now.

De Zerbi has already hinted that big changes are needed in the squad if they are to turn their fortunes around, and they will have the benefit of having no European football to contend with during the 2026-27 season.

Last season, Manchester United finished third without the distractions of Europe, and Tottenham will be hoping for a much stronger campaign too.

Van Hecke Decides He Only Wants to Join Tottenham

Jan Paul van Hecke applauding the Brighton & Hove Albion supporters

Brighton CEO Paul Barber revealed over the weekend that the Seagulls have already rejected two bids from Tottenham for their Dutch defender, who is said to be rated around the £70m mark.

Spurs are clear in their bid to land the 26-year-old, but the south coast side also will only sell if their valuation of the player is met.

According to Voetbal International, despite interest from other Premier League clubs and contact with Liverpool previously, Van Hecke has decided he only wants to join Tottenham to link up with De Zerbi for a second time following talks with the Italian manager.

The report says that he has already agreed personal terms to join Spurs, and the only thing missing now is a club-to-club agreement.

Van Hecke is said to want the move completed soon so he can focus on the World Cup with the Netherlands knowing where he will be playing next season.

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Savinho Also Agrees Personal Terms With Tottenham

Savinho celebrates a goal for Man City

Tottenham are looking to strengthen multiple areas of the pitch as they look to freshen up the squad ahead of next season, including in attack.

According to Romano, Spurs are progressing with a deal to sign long-term winger target Savinho from Manchester City, a year after they attempted to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A fresh claim from a journalist in Italy says that the Brazilian has agreed personal terms to join the north Londoners on a five-year contract already, with the club-to-club agreement the only thing missing, like in the case of Van Hecke.

Savinho primarily plays on the left-hand side but is able to feature from the right too, meaning he would be competing with the likes of Mathys Tel and Dejan Kulusevski for a spot in De Zerbi’s starting XI.

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