Later in the month, UFC 324 kicks off on Paramount+ with a massive doubleheader on the main card, featuring the interim lightweight championship and the women’s bantamweight championship.
UFC is a professional mixed martial arts promotion consisting of the greatest athletes who fight in combat sports like wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, judo, sambo, and muay thai. These fighters compete in an octagon, following the rules when in the octagon. A winner could be made if there is a knockout, submission, decision, or disqualification. Many students in GHS enjoy watching these fights.
“I watch UFC because it’s entertaining to see professional fighters fight each other in the octagon,” sophomore Aaron Rekowski said. “Fighters give it their all for fans who watch the UFC for entertainment.”
The Prelims are the early card of UFC 324, where young stars make a name for themselves and prove that they can be a part of the main card. Fighters that are fighting in the Prelims in UFC 324 consist of bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, heavyweight Josh Hokit, and heavyweight Denzel Freemen.
“I think Umar Nurmagomedov will be the bantamweight champion this year and beat Peter Yan,” junior Max Derus said. “Umar Nurmagomedov has good finishing and can grapple on the ground.”
The Main Card of UFC 324 is an interesting event because it features fighters who won the championship at one point in their life and fighters who are on the Hall-of-Fame ballot who have made a legacy in the UFC. These fighters consist of past Bantamweight champion Sean’o Malley, Derrick Lewis, and Jean Silva.
“Sean O’Malley is my favorite fighter because his mic skills are phenomenal, as he’s very entertaining in the UFC Press Conferences,” junior Gabe Anderson said. “He’s also very good in terms of boxing, as he’s one of the best fighters in bantamweight history.
The co-main event introduces the women’s bantamweight champion, Kayla Harrison, fighting the number one contender in the bantamweight division, Amanda Nunes. Kayla Harrison is winning the odds to retain her bantamweight championship by -205 on Fanduel. Amanda Nunes is the underdog of this match with +158 on Fanduel. Students express who they think will win the co-main event.
“I think Kayla Harrison will retain her bantamweight championship because she’s a talented fighter with good striking and grappling skills,” junior Ian Hanson said. “I could see Amanda Nunes winning because her judo is exceptional.”
The main event introduces the interim lightweight championship, where the number five fighter, Paddy Pimblett, fights the number four fighter, Justin Gaethje. Whoever wins the matchup will win the interim lightweight championship and will get a shot at the lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.
“I think Justin Gaethje will win the interim lightweight championship because he’s a great fighter with superior kicking skills and amazing wrestling,” junior Brandon Antczak said.
Overall, fans are excited for UFC 324, as fighters are ready to give fans their all for fans to enjoy the event. Knockouts, submissions, decisions, underdogs winning, and potentially new champions will be crowned in UFC 324.
