Gaethje claims interim LW title, tops rankings

The UFC released its first official rankings update of 2026 following UFC 324, with major shifts across divisions. Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a win over Paddy Pimblett, vaulting to #1 and positioning him as next challenger for champion Ilia Topuria. Natalia Silva earned a flyweight title shot after beating Rose Namajunas, while Jean Silva jumped four spots to #3 featherweight. Waldo Cortes-Acosta held #5 heavyweight despite stopping Derrick Lewis, who fell to #10; Umar Nurmagomedov stayed #2 bantamweight after beating Deiveson Figueiredo. These changes clarify title pictures, especially lightweight where Gaethje vs Topuria looms large, and flyweight with Silva's rise. Expect Gaethje-Topuria booking soon and rematches like Holloway-Oliveira at UFC 326.