Gaethje wins interim belt, eyes Topuria showdown

Justin Gaethje claimed the UFC interim lightweight title for the second time with a unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 last Saturday. The win propelled Gaethje to the #1 ranking in the lightweight division, positioning him as the next challenger for undisputed titleholder Ilia Topuria whenever 'El Matador' returns to competition this year. Gaethje's dominant performance on the UFC's debut Paramount+ card marked a significant moment in the promotion's new partnership. The interim title win sets up a highly anticipated matchup between two of the division's elite fighters, with Topuria's return timeline remaining a key storyline to monitor.