Gaethje wins interim belt, shakes up 2026 rankings

The UFC's first official rankings update of 2026 followed UFC 324, with Justin Gaethje claiming the interim lightweight belt via unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett, vaulting to #1 and positioning him as next for champion Ilia Topuria. Gaethje displaced Arman Tsarukyan to #2, while Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway dropped to #3 and #4; Oliveira and Holloway are set for a BMF title rematch at UFC 326. Natalia Silva earned a flyweight title shot after beating Rose Namajunas. Waldo Cortes-Acosta held #5 heavyweight despite stopping Derrick Lewis, who fell to #10. Umar Nurmagomedov stayed #2 bantamweight post-win over Deiveson Figueiredo. Jean Silva rose four spots to #3 featherweight after defeating Arnold Allen. These shifts clarify title pictures across multiple divisions, setting up major 2026 bouts.