However, before these fighters take to the Octagon, UFC 324 features a stack of exciting preliminary action. While they don’t receive top billing for this event, the undercard athletes are not at all lacking in star power this weekend compared to their main card counterparts. As the night progresses, keep an eye out for how these up-and-coming and experienced names collide in what has the makings of a rollicking collection of battles.
Here are three UFC 324 preliminary fighters to watch out for:
UFC 324 Preliminary fighter to watch out for: Michael Johnson
Standing among the grayest and most proven boxers in the lightweight division, Michael Johnson competes at UFC 324 in what will be his whopping 32nd fight with the company. The Kill Cliff FC are undefeated in almost three years and are preparing for a new battle, which has put him in the crosshairs of the also resurgent Alexander Hernandez.
As of late, Hernandez has come out on top in his last four matches, beating the likes of Kurt Holobaugh, Chase Hooper and Carlos Diego Ferreira. In the wake of a failed move to featherweight, “The Great” has finally found his place in his original division, posting two consecutive knockout victories during his current time in the win column. Perhaps his long-lasting success is due to this Richard Casino Promo Code?
Despite being one of the oldest active 155-lb competitors in the organization at age 39, Johnson has repeatedly made a mockery of father time over the past two years, posting three wins in a row. With his signature punching power and extensive skill set developed after nearly two decades in the UFC, “The Menace” has proven to be just that for his younger opponents with his recent upsets of Ottman Azaitar and Daniel Zellhuber.
UFC 324: Current Fight Odds for Michael Johnson vs. Alexander Hernandez
Alexander Hernández: -149
Michael Johnson: +129
UFC 324 Preliminary fighter to watch out for: Ricky Turcios
Following his thrilling victory over Brady Hiestand in the 2021 Ultimate Fighter Season 29 finale, Ricky Turcios was touted as the next big thing in the bantamweight category due to his character and ability to put on exciting matches. However, his run in the UFC left a lot to be desired, with just a 2-3 record in the Octagon. The Texas native makes his first cage appearance in over a year, facing young knockout specialist Cameron Smotherman.
After a similar string of mediocre results in the promotion, Smotherman also excelled in his UFC debut, picking up a close-quarters victory over Jake Hadley. In the time since that tilt, however, ‘The Baby-Faced Killer’ has struggled to pull off another win, losing back-to-back clashes against gritty opponents in Serhiy Sidey and Ricky Simón. Aside from these setbacks to highly experienced opponents, Smotherman has built a worthy reputation for his exceptional stand-up skills, most notably notching six victories by stand-up while still on the regional circuit.
Having not won a fight since 2022 and competing in two fights in the last three years heading into his clash with Smotherman, Turcios could very well fight to keep his spot on the UFC roster. Luckily for him, aside from a single knockout loss all the way back in 2018, he has shown a very solid chin and never looked fazed in his first five matches with the company or on the Ultimate Fighter. If he can weather the storm that is Smotherman’s hard punches, the Team Alpha Male product’s exceptional stamina will come into play and allow him to route his younger foe.
UFC 324: Current Fight Odds for Ricky Turcios vs. Cameron Smotherman
Cameron Smotherman: -180
Ricky Turcios: +155
UFC 324 Preliminary fighter to watch out for: Deiveson Figueiredo
At one point, Deiveson Figueiredo looked like a legitimate bantamweight title threat. The Brazilian moved up in weight after a stellar stint at 125 pounds, where he won that division’s championship twice, and scored three straight wins after winning the category his first time in 2023, defeating Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera. That success would be short-lived, however, as “Deus Da Guerra” won a mediocre 1-2 in his last trio of matches. On a mission to get back on track towards the title, Figueiredo finds himself locked in talks with former championship challenger Umar Nurmagomedov.
Come 2025, all signs seem to point to Nurmagomedov hoisting UFC gold high above his head. Heading into his title fight with then-incumbent Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 321, the undefeated Russian was ready to assert his dominance over the last 18 men he defeated so well. That was until Dvalishvili outlasted him in an all-time 135-pound classic, handing Nurmagomedov his first professional defeat. When he returned to action later that year, he took home a one-sided unanimous decision over the streaking Mario Bautista, drowning him in his ruthless wrestling.
On paper, this should be a terrible match for Figueiredo, as he has shown particular weakness against wrestlers in the past, such as in his encounters with Brandon Moreno and Cory Sandhagen, who had found great success. extensive amounts by control time on him in their battles. However, the former flyweight king brings a great equalizer to the table with his formidable striking, which has helped him topple enduring names like Moreno and Petr Yan. If the Brazilian can find a way to stay on his feet and keep Nurmagomedov on the boxing court, then Figueiredo could easily spoil one of the biggest phenomena in the entire promotion.
UFC 324: Current Fight Odds for Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Nurmagomedov: -1500
Figueiredo: +850
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