Explosive UFC night: O’Malley returns, Cortes-Acosta dominates, Silva shines

LAS VEGAS: The octagon was on fire Saturday night as the UFC delivered a pulse-pounding lineup that left fans roaring at the T-Mobile Arena. From nail-biting decisions to knockout finishes, the fight card proved once again why MMA remains the ultimate proving ground.

In the bantamweight spotlight, former champion Sean O’Malley snapped a nearly two-year winless streak with a thrilling unanimous decision over Song Yadong. The three-round war was tight, but O’Malley’s patience and sharp footwork paid dividends. After losing the first round to a late takedown, O’Malley rebounded in Round 3 with precise right hands and a devastating standing knee that opened a cut on Song’s face, sealing a 29-28 victory across all judges’ scorecards. “He’s back,” the crowd chanted as O’Malley reclaimed his place in the division.

The heavyweight division was electrified as Waldo Cortes-Acosta delivered a shocking second-round TKO over UFC knockout leader Derrick Lewis. After a tentative first round that saw fewer than 10 total strikes landed, Cortes-Acosta timed a short right hand perfectly in Round 2, sending Lewis to the mat before unleashing relentless ground-and-pound. The Dominican star immediately called for a fight with Curtis Blaydes, signaling his rise as a legitimate title contender. With this finish, Cortes-Acosta now boasts eight wins in his last nine bouts.

Women’s bantamweight fans got a controversial twist as Natalia Silva edged out former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision. Despite a tense, strategic first two rounds, Silva’s late aggression earned her the judges’ nod – but the crowd at T-Mobile Arena voiced their disagreement loudly. The Brazilian’s 14th consecutive win sets her up as the likely next challenger to champion Valentina Shevchenko.

Featherweight action saw Jean Silva rebound from a TKO loss to reclaim his momentum, grinding out a unanimous decision over England’s Arnold Allen. After a slow start, Silva unleashed a late onslaught, swinging his wild, reckless style with impact that left Allen struggling to respond. The 29-year-old Brazilian demonstrated that resilience and timing can turn the tide in a cage war.

And in one of the night’s most celebrated announcements, Dominick Cruz, a legendary bantamweight who dominated both the UFC and WEC, was named to the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Cruz’s legacy, which includes victories over Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, and Urijah Faber, cements his place among MMA’s all-time greats.

Finally, the main event between Justin Gaethje and Liam Pimblett delivered a back-and-forth slugfest that had fans on the edge of their seats. Gaethje’s brutal overhand rights and precise counters met Pimblett’s lightning-fast combinations and knees, culminating in a fifth round that saw both warriors trade ferocious blows until the final horn. Gaethje’s grit and power nearly ended the fight early, but Pimblett’s resilience pushed the bout to a thrilling finish.

It was a night where legends were celebrated, newcomers emerged, and veterans reclaimed glory – a brutal, beautiful reminder why the octagon never sleeps.