UFC 324 fight cancelled without explanation just hours before event as statement issued
The UFC pulled a lightweight contest between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez from the UFC 324 card hours before the Las Vegas event was due to commence on Saturday evening.
The organisation confirmed the cancellation via a statement on its website but did not explain the decision.
The statement read: “The lightweight bout between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez has been canceled from tonight’s event.”
Both fighters had faced off at Friday’s weigh-in, with Johnson, 39, riding a three-fight winning streak and Hernandez, 33, having won his previous four bouts.
Neither competitor has publicly addressed the sudden removal of their preliminary card matchup from the T-Mobile Arena show.
The cancellation has left supporters and commentators questioning what prompted the late withdrawal.
Reports emerged several betting platforms had detected unusual wagering activity surrounding the contest.
Dave Mason, brand manager at BetOnline, posted on social media the sportsbook would be implementing restrictions due to the suspicious patterns.
The UFC pulled a lightweight contest between Michael Johnson and Alexander Hernandez from the UFC 324
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Mason wrote: “Due to some irregular betting patterns, we will be keeping the limits lower than usual on tonight’s Michael Johnson vs Alex Hernandez bout.
“Additionally, there will not be props on this fight.”
He stressed the measures represented “a standard measure, not a judgement on the fight’s integrity, possible injury, etc” but added that the company would “err on the side of caution” to safeguard both punters and the bookmaker.
According to reports, Hernandez had been a heavy favourite as recently as late last month, yet the odds shifted dramatically towards Johnson in the hours before the scheduled bout.
The main event saw Paddy Pimblett challenge Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship
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The withdrawal comes amid heightened scrutiny of betting integrity within mixed martial arts following a series of concerning incidents.
In November, Isaac Dulgarian was released from the UFC just one day after a suspicious first-round submission defeat to Yadier del Valle at UFC Vegas 110, which saw significant odds movement prior to the opening bell.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed the FBI was contacted immediately after that bout, with Dulgarian remaining suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission whilst an investigation continues.
Speaking to TMZ, White issued a stark warning to any fighters contemplating involvement in fixed contests.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed the FBI was contacted immediately after that bout
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He said: “We will immediately go after you, guns a blazing, with the FBI and whoever else we need to get, and we will do everything we can to make sure you go to prison.”
The event, which marked the promotion’s inaugural event of 2026, proceeded with 11 bouts after the Johnson-Hernandez contest was removed.
A second fight was also lost from the card after Cameron Smotherman collapsed on stage at Friday’s official weigh-in moments after stepping off the scales, forcing the cancellation of his bantamweight clash with Ricky Turcios.
The main event saw Paddy Pimblett challenge Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship, with undisputed champion Ilia Topuria taking time away from competition to address personal matters.
Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong featured in the co-main event following the Harrison-Nunes postponement.
