Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, the first event of 2026, propelling him to #1 in the lightweight rankings. This positions Gaethje as the next challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria upon his return. The rankings update, the first of the year, reflects Gaethje's dominant performance in a stacked division. Meanwhile, Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas to secure the next women's flyweight title shot. Expect Gaethje vs. Topuria to headline a major summer card, reshaping the lightweight landscape.
