Following UFC 324, Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight belt with a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett, vaulting to #1 in the lightweight rankings ahead of champion Ilia Topuria. Arman Tsarukyan dropped to #2, with Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway at #3 and #4; Oliveira and Holloway rematch at UFC 326 for the BMF title. Jean Silva surged four spots to #3 in featherweight after beating Arnold Allen, who fell to #7. Waldo Cortes-Acosta held #5 heavyweight despite stopping Derrick Lewis. These shifts set up major title contention paths, especially Gaethje vs. Topuria at Freedom 250.
Reports emerging after UFC 324 suggest Justin Gaethje captured the interim lightweight title via unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett, a result that has reshuffled the 155-pound rankings in significant fashion — though these shifts have not yet been officially confirmed by the UFC.
According to the report, Gaethje now sits at number one in the lightweight division, leapfrogging champion Ilia Topuria, with Arman Tsarukyan sliding to second. Further down the ladder, Charles Oliveira holds third and Max Holloway fourth, and the two are reportedly set to collide at UFC 326 for the BMF title. At featherweight, Jean Silva is said to have jumped four spots to third after defeating Arnold Allen, who fell from fifth to seventh.
Oliveira, 36, enters any lightweight conversation carrying a 37-11 record and some of the most dangerous submission hunting in the division, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 2.22 takedowns in the same span. The Brazilian's 54 percent striking accuracy further underlines his well-rounded threat.
Holloway, 34, represents a starkly different profile. The Hawaiian carries a 27-9 record and leads the lightweight tier in volume, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute. A rematch with Oliveira for the BMF title would pit that relentless output against one of the sport's most accomplished finishers on the ground.
Allen, 32, of England enters the aftermath of his reported loss sitting at 21-4. Fighting out of Tristar Gym, the southpaw averages 3.52 significant strikes per minute and mixes in 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a balanced game that made his rise through the featherweight top ten possible.
Why it matters
- Gaethje at number one sets up a potential undisputed title clash with Topuria at Freedom 250, per the report
- The Oliveira-Holloway BMF rematch pits the division's premier submission threat against its highest-volume striker
- Silva's surge to featherweight third signals a new face entering the title picture, while Allen's fall to seventh could reset his contender timeline
