Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, vaulting to #1 in the lightweight rankings and displacing Arman Tsarukyan to #2. Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway dropped to #3 and #4, respectively, setting up their BMF title rematch at UFC 326. Gaethje is now positioned as the next challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria. This shift reshapes the lightweight title picture amid Topuria's anticipated return. In flyweight, Natalia Silva earned a title shot contention after beating Rose Namajunas.
Reports circulating in late April 2026 suggest Justin Gaethje captured the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision and immediately positioning himself as the mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Ilia Topuria. These reports are not yet officially confirmed.
According to the reports, Gaethje's victory vaulted him to number one in the lightweight rankings, pushing Arman Tsarukyan down to second. Further down the standings, Charles Oliveira dropped to third and Max Holloway to fourth — a reshuffle that carries significant implications for the division's near-term future.
Oliveira, 36, fights out of Brazil under Chute Boxe Diego Lima and carries a 37-11-0 record. The submission specialist is currently ranked eleventh pound-for-pound and brings one of the more complete ground games in the division, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a takedown rate of 2.22 per 15 minutes. His striking is precise as well, with a 54 percent accuracy rate.
Holloway, the 34-year-old Hawaiian representing Gracie Technics, sits at 27-9-0 and ranks ninth pound-for-pound. He is one of the sport's elite volume strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute, and the unconfirmed reports indicate he and Oliveira are headed toward a BMF title rematch at UFC 326.
Topuria, meanwhile, holds the undisputed lightweight crown at 17-1-0. The 29-year-old Spaniard is the current number-one pound-for-pound fighter and lands nearly five significant strikes per minute with a 48 percent accuracy rate, also contributing on the ground with close to two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's reported interim title win creates a clear path toward an undisputed unification bout with Topuria
- Oliveira and Holloway's BMF rematch at UFC 326 keeps two top-five fighters active while the title picture develops
- The ranking shake-up displaces Tsarukyan from the top contender spot, altering the queue of challengers behind Gaethje
- Natalia Silva's reported flyweight title contention adds another division in flux if these results are confirmed
