UFC released its first official rankings update of 2026 following UFC 324, shaking up multiple divisions. Justin Gaethje claimed the #1 lightweight spot after his main event win, bumping Arman Tsarukyan to #2, with Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway dropping to #3 and #4. In heavyweight, Waldo Cortes-Acosta held #5 despite a big win, while Derrick Lewis fell to #10 and Marcin Tybura rose to #8. Bantamweight saw Umar Nurmagomedov stay at #2, Deiveson Figueiredo drop to #7. This sets the stage for title contention.
The UFC has released its first official rankings update of 2026 in the wake of UFC 324, with movement across multiple divisions that reshapes the contender landscape heading deeper into the year. Because the update has not yet been formally confirmed through official channels, these standings should be treated as reported but unverified.
The most significant shift came at lightweight, where Justin Gaethje ascended to the number-one contender position following his main event victory. That result pushed Arman Tsarukyan down to second. Charles Oliveira, the 36-year-old Brazilian southpaw fighting out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, now sits third in the division with a career record of 37 wins and 11 losses. The former champion carries a 74-inch reach and averages 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underscoring why he remains a dangerous presence at 155 pounds. Dropping one spot to fourth is Max Holloway, the 34-year-old Hawaiian with a 27-9 record who sits ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. Holloway lands 7.2 significant strikes per minute, one of the highest volumes in the sport, and his presence in the top five keeps the lightweight picture extraordinarily competitive.
At bantamweight, Umar Nurmagomedov held steady at number two. The 30-year-old Russian carries a 20-1 record and averages better than four takedowns per 15 minutes while connecting on 56 percent of his significant strikes, making him one of the more complete fighters in any division. Deiveson Figueiredo slipped to seventh in the same weight class.
Heavyweight also saw movement, with Waldo Cortes-Acosta retaining the fifth spot, Marcin Tybura climbing to eighth, and Derrick Lewis falling to tenth.
Why it matters
- Gaethje at number one puts him in direct line for a lightweight title shot
- Oliveira and Holloway in third and fourth sets up potential high-stakes bouts between proven contenders
- Nurmagomedov's stationary hold at bantamweight number two keeps pressure on whoever holds the belt
