Featherweights Jean Silva and Arnold Allen kicked off the UFC 324 main card on Saturday, the first numbered event, and first UFC event period, of both 2026 and the Paramount+ era.
That Paramount+ deal had brought some big money to the promotion, $1.1 billion U.S. per year over seven years (with the deal already expanded into other territories). With it had come a doubling of post-fight bonuses to $100,000, and a new, $25,000 finishing bonus for any fighter who stopped their opponent.
Would Silva or Allen capture one of those? Silva, part of The Fighting Nerds, was looking to bounce back from a loss to Diego Lopes. England’s Arnold Allen, after losing two straight, had returned to form by defeating Giga Chikadze in 2024, but had missed all of last year.
Silva held center early in the UFC 324 main card opener, barely moving while Allen worked from the outside, starting off the action with a kick. Allen was far more mobile, circling, firing a probing leg kick while Silva appeared to bide his time, hand cocked. The first punch from the Brazilian targeted the body, and he’d go there again later.
Jean Silva did flip the script, going high with a kick, while Allen borrowed from Silva’s playbook by targeting the body. When Silva closed the distance, looking to fire off a combo, Allen quickly slipped away. His movement through the first three minutes gave him the edge, while Silva was looking overly cautious.
With 90 seconds left in the opening round, Allen was warned for an eye poke, but the action was paused for mere seconds. Silva started moving forward a bit more at the end of the round, but Allen continued to beat him to the punch, snapping his head back with a jab.
Round two was a different story, as by 90 seconds in, Silva had come on strong, and landed an elbow over the top. Allen was still moving, and still landing his jab, with Silva showing some damage over one eye. It was a much more competitive affair early, however. As the round wore on, it was back-and-forth, Allen going high with a kick, and Silva answering with a right hand moments later. With two minutes on the clock, Allen his a knee, then Silva would land heavy leather.
Both men were having their moments, and it seemed like it might come down to who hit the bullseye first. Silva began mixing in some leg kicks, trying to take away Allen’s best weapon— his mobility. Allen would connect with a right, and Silva spun for a back elbow that just missed, or was at the very least blocked. Allen then went high with a kick, as seconds ticked off the clock, taking them to the third.
After a pair of rounds that might have been split, the fight was very much up in the air in round three. The pace slowed a step early, though Silva continued to target the body with her right hand. At times, he’d both double and triple off on the right right. Allen clinched up, looking for a takedown, though Silva was able to get to the fence, where he’d fight hands and try to peel Allen off him.
Silva managed to stay upright, and finally broke free with half the round remaining. That allowed him to pop off a combination, and go back to the body yet again. Then it was Silva looking for a takedown; he’d get Allen to his knees, then dump him again when the Brit popped back up. Neither action was much more than a mat return, however, and soon, there was all of a minute left in the fight.
Taking a page out of Max Holloway’s book, Jean Silva pointed at the center of the octagon with over 30 seconds left. Arnold Allen wasn’t biting. Still, Silva would connect with a head kick, that although blocked looked nasty. Another head kick, and a body kick, followed from “Lord” Silva, who finished the fight strong.
Official Result: Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
