Justin Gaethje secured the interim lightweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, claiming the belt for the second time in his career. The win propelled Gaethje to the #1 ranking in the lightweight division, positioning him as the clear next challenger for undisputed titleholder Ilia Topuria. Gaethje's dominant performance on the UFC 324 main card has locked him into a title shot whenever Topuria returns to competition later in 2026. This matchup represents a significant opportunity for Gaethje to finally capture undisputed gold after his previous interim title reign. The lightweight division now awaits Topuria's return, with Gaethje standing ready as the mandatory challenger.
