Justin Gaethje won the interim lightweight title via unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event, vaulting to #1 in the lightweight rankings after the first UFC update of 2026. This positions Gaethje as the next challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria upon his return. In women's flyweight, Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas on the main card, securing her a title shot. These developments follow UFC 324, the first event of the year, reshaping both divisions. Expect Gaethje vs. Topuria to headline a major card later in 2026, while Silva awaits the flyweight champ.
Reports emerging from UFC 324 suggest Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett in the main event, the first UFC card of 2026. The result, if confirmed, would vault Gaethje to the top of the lightweight rankings and set up an undisputed title clash with reigning champion Ilia Topuria later this year. It should be noted that these developments have not yet been officially confirmed.
Ilia Topuria, known as "El Matador," carries a 17-1 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division while holding the number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, is a well-rounded threat, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also mixing in nearly two takedowns and more than one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
On the main card, Brazil's Natalia Silva reportedly defeated Rose Namajunas in a women's flyweight bout, a result that would reportedly earn Silva a title shot. Silva, 29, holds a 20-5-1 record and ranks fifth in the division. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, she averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy. Namajunas, the sixth-ranked flyweight at 34 years old, came in at 15-8 and brings a more diverse attack, averaging 1.47 takedowns and 0.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes for the American from 303 Training Center.
Why it matters
- A Gaethje vs. Topuria matchup would pit the interim champion against the pound-for-pound number one, with the undisputed lightweight title on the line
- Silva's reported win over a former multi-time champion in Namajunas strengthens her case as a legitimate flyweight title contender
- Both divisions could see significant reshuffling depending on official confirmation of these reported results
