Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision at UFC 324 to claim the interim lightweight title for the second time in his career. With the victory, Gaethje has been ranked as the #1 contender in the lightweight division and is now next in line to challenge undisputed titleholder Ilia Topuria. The win bumped Arman Tsarukyan down to #2, while Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway dropped to #3 and #4 respectively. Gaethje's path to a title shot against Topuria is now clear, setting up a major showdown later in 2026.
Justin Gaethje captured the interim lightweight title for the second time in his career, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324 on May 6, 2026. The victory formally installed Gaethje as the division's number-one contender and put him next in line to face undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
The win reshuffled the lightweight rankings significantly. Arman Tsarukyan slipped to second, while Charles Oliveira fell to third and Max Holloway dropped to fourth.
Topuria, the man Gaethje will now pursue, carries a 17-1-0 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old. The Spanish-Georgian champion lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy and adds 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat out of Climent Club.
Oliveira, now ranked third at 36, owns a 37-11-0 record and remains one of the most dangerous submission artists in the sport, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 2.22 takedowns in the same span. The Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima also connects at a 54 percent striking accuracy rate.
Holloway sits fourth at 34 years old with a 27-9-0 mark, and his volume is difficult to match anywhere in the division. The Hawaiian lands 7.2 significant strikes per minute, among the highest rates in the sport, though his ground game sees minimal use with just 0.24 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's interim title win sets up a title unification fight against Topuria as the division's marquee event for later in 2026.
- Oliveira and Holloway, two former or near-title contenders, now face longer waits with both dropping a spot in the rankings.
- Tsarukyan's slide to second keeps him close but depends on the Gaethje-Topuria timeline playing out smoothly.
