Gaethje shocks undefeated Topuria to claim UFC lightweight title at White House event
American fighter Justin Gaethje improved his record to 28-5 with a stunning victory over Georgian champion Ilia Topuria (17-1), who represents Spain, in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, held on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C., Qazinform News Agency reports.
Topuria entered the bout as the UFC lightweight champion, while Gaethje held the division’s interim title. The championship fight was scheduled for five rounds but ended dramatically when Topuria was unable to continue and did not come out for the final round.
The victory earned Gaethje the undisputed UFC lightweight title and handed Topuria his first professional MMA defeat, ending his unbeaten run at 17 fights.
In the co-main event, French heavyweight Ciryl Gane (15-2) defeated Brazil’s Alex Pereira (13-5) by technical knockout in the second round, capturing the interim UFC heavyweight championship.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the White House would become a historic fight-night venue as a UFC arena rises on the South Lawn.
