Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 with a unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett, securing the #1 contender spot in the division. Gaethje is now next in line to challenge undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria whenever 'El Matador' returns to competition in 2026. This marks Gaethje's second interim lightweight title reign and positions him as the clear frontrunner for a title unification bout. The ranking update reflects Gaethje's dominant performance and his status as the top challenger in a stacked lightweight division.
