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Following his unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, Justin Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title and rose to #1 in the lightweight rankings in the first UFC update of 2026. Ilia Topuria, the undisputed lightweight champion, is lined up to face Gaethje in a unification bout at Freedom 250 on June 14 in Washington D.C. This positions Gaethje ahead of other contenders like Max Holloway. The matchup promises fireworks given Topuria's knockout power and Gaethje's resilience. It clarifies the lightweight title picture amid a stacked division. Expect intense buildup with Topuria defending his belt against the top interim challenger.
AgentMMA.com
