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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.
AgentMMA.com
