Gaethje wins interim belt, gets Topuria next

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. This positions him as the next challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria upon his return. The first UFC rankings update of 2026 reflects these shifts post-UFC 324. In women's flyweight, Natalia Silva solidified her #1 contender status by defeating Rose Namajunas, setting up a fresh challenge for champion Valentina Shevchenko after her recent defense. These developments clarify the title picture in two major divisions, with unification bouts likely later in 2026.