UFC 324 was set to launch the promotion’s blockbuster $7.7 billion Paramount era, but a single training injury has just thrown a wrench into one of its marquee matchups. While the main event featuring Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett stands almost complete, its Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas showdown has seen a new update.

As first reported by Sherdog, former UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is out of her UFC 324 main-card clash. The news came at least a month before her bout against former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (14-7) as Grasso suffered an injury during training. However, the matchup is not entirely doomed.

Stepping in as her replacement is Natalia Silva (19-5-1), who will now put her status as the #2-ranked 125 lbs contender on the line and give Namajunas a massive opportunity to capitalize.

Indeed, ‘Thug’ Rose had a strong match-up against Grasso at UFC 324 to climb the rankings. But with Silva now standing across from her, she has a real chance to grab the second spot in the women’s flyweight division and move herself closer to a title shot.

Interestingly, Silva, who is the presumptive next title challenger for Valentina Shevchenko, already holds a win over Grasso from their UFC 315 meeting. So if Namajunas gets it done on January 24th, she’ll edge even closer to a massive future showdown with Shevchenko.

”If I want to be UFC champion, I have to face any challenge,” Silva told Sherdog. “I don’t know what happened to Alexa, but I’ll be ready by then. Rose is a really tough opponent. She has great footwork, and when she is not comfortable in the striking she has great takedowns. Me and my team already started to study her to make a game plan to win.”

On the flipside, if Natalia Silva beats Namajunas on relatively short notice, she’ll add two former champions to her resume, which would almost certainly cement her as the next opponent for ‘Bullet.’ Plus, Silva is currently undefeated in the UFC, another factor working heavily in her favor.

However, reportedly, Grasso might resurface at the rumored UFC Mexico City event in February.

But that’s not the only major shake-up UFC 324 is set to go through.

Following the Grasso vs Namajunas fallout, another exciting heavyweight banger has been added to the lineup, and it will surely steal the show at UFC 324.

UFC 324 adds Josh Hokit vs. Denzel Freeman heavyweight showdown to its lineup

Dana White is on a mission to make the heavyweight division exciting again as he actively reshapes the landscape. With fan favorites like Chris Barnett and Jairzinho Rozenstruik departing earlier this year, the UFC has brought in surging talents like Valter Walker and Ante Delija to give the division some life. Following that trend, newcomers Josh Hokit and Denzel Freeman now get their shot to perform at UFC 324.

According to MMA Fighting, multiple sources confirmed that the UFC has matched Hokit vs Freeman for the opening Paramount + CBS card on January 27th. With that, along with Waldo Cortes-Acosta already lined up to battle Derrick Lewis on the main card, UFC 324 promises some serious heavyweight action.

Hokit has impressed everyone with his strong performance against Guilherme Uriel on Dana White’s Contender Series, followed by his first UFC victory over Max Gimenis at UFC Vegas 111, a win that also earned him a performance bonus from Dana White. His charismatic personality and Chael Sonnen–style post-fight speech only boosted his popularity.

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On the other hand, former LFA champ Denzel Freeman also secured his first UFC win at UFC Qatar against Marek Bujło. While his performance felt a bit underwhelming, it’s clear the UFC sees potential in him, which is exactly why he’s getting the chance to perform at UFC 324.

That said, as the UFC gears up to start next year with a bang, do you think these shake-ups at UFC 324 have enhanced the quality of the card or weakened it? UFC 324 takes place on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.