Justin Gaethje cracks ESPN pound-for-pound top 10 after title win

Justin Gaethje has broken into ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings after capturing the UFC lightweight title from Ilia Topuria.

The win marks Gaethje's first appearance in the outlet's top 10, a list that reshuffled following his title-clinching performance. ESPN reported that taking the belt from Topuria was enough to secure Gaethje's position among the sport's elite.

How Gaethje's title win reshaped the rankings

Topuria, who previously held a spot in the rankings, was displaced by Gaethje's arrival. The lightweight division has long been considered one of the deepest in MMA, and Gaethje's path to the title involved wins over multiple top contenders.

The updated rankings reflect a shift in how pound-for-pound voters weigh recent championship performances. Gaethje had been knocking on the door of the top 10 for years, but the title itself proved to be the deciding factor.

ESPN updates its pound-for-pound list after every major UFC event. The next rankings refresh will follow the promotion's upcoming pay-per-view card.

Reported via:

• ESPN MMA — MMA pound-for-pound rankings: Gaethje turns top 10 upside down