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.
Reports indicate Justin Gaethje has claimed the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision and positioning himself as the mandatory challenger for undisputed titleholder Ilia Topuria. The bout has not been officially confirmed by the UFC, and details surrounding the matchup should be treated as unverified at this stage.
Gaethje, now 28-5-0, holds the interim lightweight belt and carries the division's most prolific striking numbers among the fighters involved in this picture. The 37-year-old American out of Genesis Training Center stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and lands an eye-catching 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — output that places him among the busiest and most precise finishers in the 155-pound weight class. This is reportedly his second run with an interim lightweight title.
Pimblett drops to 23-4-0 following the reported loss. The 31-year-old Englishman from Next Generation MMA Liverpool ranked sixth in the lightweight division heading into the contest and brought genuine offensive volume of his own, averaging 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also carries a submission threat, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though that wrinkle was apparently not enough on the night.
The undisputed lightweight champion waiting on the other side of a potential unification bout is Ilia Topuria. "El Matador" is 17-1-0, ranked number one pound-for-pound, and operates out of Spain under Climent Club. The 29-year-old stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and mixes sharp striking — 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy — with active grappling, averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A unification bout would bring together the division's interim and undisputed titles, consolidating the lightweight throne
- Topuria's pound-for-pound ranking makes this a marquee matchup with implications beyond 155 pounds
- Gaethje's pressure-heavy, high-output striking style sets up a stark contrast against Topuria's well-rounded, takedown-oriented game
