The UFC 324 event on January 27, 2026, marked the promotion’s first major card of the year. The event, held in Las Vegas, featured ten fighters ranked within the ESPN divisional rankings. Despite the high stakes, only one significant change emerged from the competition.
In the main event, Justin Gaethje faced off against Paddy Pimblett and delivered a decisive victory, earning him the interim lightweight title. Interestingly, this victory did not alter Gaethje’s position in the lightweight rankings, which remains unchanged. The lack of movement in the rankings highlights the competitive nature of the division, where even significant wins do not always translate to higher placement.
The event also included two men’s bantamweight bouts. Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov both secured victories, yet their successes did not affect the rankings in their weight class. Additionally, the women’s flyweight match saw Natalia Silva achieve a win, but this outcome also failed to shift the rankings.
The sole alteration in the rankings came in the heavyweight division, where Waldo Cortes-Acosta moved up to the No. 6 spot after a knockout victory against Derrick Lewis. Lewis, despite his loss, retained his position at No. 10. This minor shift underscores the challenges fighters face in climbing the ranks, as even a knockout victory may only slightly impact their standings.
For fighters to qualify for the rankings, they must have competed in the last 12 months or have an upcoming fight scheduled. Those who have been inactive can only be reinstated after stepping back into the octagon.
As the UFC season continues, fans can expect further developments and potential shifts within the rankings. The current pound-for-pound rankings and a complete list of UFC champions in all weight classes will be updated following future events, maintaining the excitement and unpredictability of mixed martial arts.
