This is the UFC 324 live blog for Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva, the featherweight main event on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The fighters are neck and neck in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 145 pounds, with Allen at No. 7 and Silva at No. 8.
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This is a pivotal matchup for Allen (20-3), who recently got back into the win column with a unanimous decision over Giga Chikadze. Allen has raised his hand in 11 of his 13 UFC appearances, but his rise to a title shot has been hampered by injuries and key losses to Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev. Returns to action for the first time since July 2024.
Silva (16-3) looks to bounce back from his first UFC loss to Diego Lopes, a setback that could have cost him a championship opportunity. The Fighting Nerds wild card finished his first five UFC opponents before being smothered by Lopes.
Check out the UFC 324 live blog for Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva below.
Preamble
An absolute success to start UFC 324. I’ve been promoting this as the matchup that could set the bar for Fight of the Year in 2026, so don’t let me down guys!
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A title shot could wait…
Post-Preamble
Well, after a sweet intro, a little musical interlude, and even more analysis, NOW the first fight is coming up.
Always tell me the odds
Arnold Allen is the underdog at +184, Jean Silva is a big favorite at -220.
Round 1
You can feel the tension here.
Silva fires in a body shot. He stays in the center as Allen circles and hits him with a leg kick. Allen tries to keep the distance, but Silva hits him with another body shot. Allen simply tapped to set the range. Another short kick from Allen lands. Allen with a straight left up the middle that backs up Silva. Release your left foot and score again. Counter right from Allen.
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Allen goes to the body and follows it with a leg kick. Just mixing his punches beautifully. It is Allen’s jab that is now giving Silva problems. The crowd starts barking, trying to get Silva going. Front kick from Allen to the body. Silva with little volume and is just getting destroyed in Round 1. Another good combination from Allen. Silva tears the body and follows with a good left hand. Uppercut by Silva. Silva with a spinning back elbow, which could have caught Allen. Silva follows with a flurry, but the bell rings. We have a good one.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Allen.
Round 2
Silva attacks with a low kick. He’s already pushing harder. Big right hand from Allen, but Silva shakes it off, so Allen tags him again. Right hand from Silva and he unbalances Allen and knocks him down briefly. Back on his feet, Silva hits Allen with a right hand, but Allen keeps advancing. Silva throws hard punches in these exchanges.
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Allen with a left hand to the chin. Silva responds with an uppercut. Return to the body. Combination of Allen and a straight punch. Flying knee from Allen. Silva gets a clean 1-2. Defense becomes secondary here.
Silva once again finds a home for that right hand. Allen ties him up and then hits him with a knee to the jaw. These guys are going crazy. Silva lands a spinning elbow, Allen decides to try it himself. Inside kick from Silva, then another. He has taken command in this round.
Silva moves out of the way of a couple of quick kicks from Allen. With a smile, Silva wants to high-five, but Allen shakes his head. Let’s fight, boys. Another spinning elbow from Silva scores. They lock up for an aggressive fight at the end of the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Silva. Overall, 19-19.