Gaethje stops Pimblett, claims interim LW belt again

Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision in the UFC 324 main event to claim the interim lightweight championship for the second time, vaulting to #1 in the lightweight rankings. This bumped Arman Tsarukyan to #2, with Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway dropping to #3 and #4. Gaethje is now positioned as the next challenger for undisputed champion Ilia Topuria. The rankings update followed UFC 324, the first event of 2026 on Paramount+. This shift clarifies the lightweight title picture amid Topuria's absence. Expect Gaethje vs. Topuria unification bout later in 2026.