Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision win 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. The update followed the first UFC event of the year. In women's flyweight, Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas on the main card, securing her a likely title shot. These developments reshape the lightweight and flyweight divisions, setting up major unification bouts. Expect Gaethje vs. Topuria and Silva's title opportunity soon.
Reports emerging from the first UFC rankings update of 2026 suggest Justin Gaethje captured the interim lightweight title via unanimous decision against Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event, a result that has not been officially confirmed.
According to those reports, the victory vaulted Gaethje to number one in the lightweight division, positioning him as the next mandatory challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria upon the Spaniard's return. Topuria, 29, carries a 17-1-0 record and currently holds the number-two divisional ranking alongside the pound-for-pound top spot in the UFC. The Georgian-born Spaniard out of Climent Club lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and adds a constant grappling threat with nearly two takedowns and more than one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
On the same card, Brazil's Natalia Silva reportedly defeated Rose Namajunas on the main card of UFC 324, a result that could place the 29-year-old southpaw in line for a women's flyweight title shot. Silva sits fifth in the division with a 20-5-1 record and generates 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy. Namajunas, a 34-year-old American veteran ranked sixth, brought a 15-8-0 record into the fight along with a well-rounded game — 1.47 takedowns per 15 minutes and genuine submission threat — but fell short on this occasion if the reports hold.
Why it matters
- A Gaethje versus Topuria unification fight would be one of the most anticipated lightweight bouts in years, pitting the interim champion against the pound-for-pound top-ranked titleholder.
- Silva's reported win over a decorated former champion could accelerate her push from fifth to a title opportunity in the women's flyweight division.
- Both contests remain unconfirmed, and the divisional picture should be treated as provisional until official UFC verification.
