At UFC 324, the first event of 2026, the divisional rankings saw minimal shakeups despite some exciting fights. Justin Gaethje's victory over Paddy Pimblett in the main event earned him an interim title. However, the lightweight rankings remained unchanged, highlighting the stability at the top of the division going into the new year.

Two men's bantamweight bouts, won by Sean O'Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, also failed to shift the rankings. Similarly, Natalia Silva's win in the women's flyweight division didn't alter her top 10. The lack of movement suggests the current top contenders are well-established, or that the judges didn't see enough of a performance to move the needle.

The only change came in the heavyweight division, where Waldo Cortes-Acosta moved up to No. 6 after a knockout win over Derrick Lewis, who remained at No. 10. This signals a potential shift in the heavyweight landscape, with Cortes-Acosta gaining momentum. The rankings are based on recent performance, so expect further adjustments as the year progresses.