American underdog Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the greatest upsets in mixed martial arts history by defeating Ilia Topuria via fourth-round technical knockout to claim the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. The historic bout took place on the South Lawn of the White House as the main event of UFC Freedom 250, an extraordinary card held in front of 4,300 spectators, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
Entering the cage as a massive 6-1 betting underdog, the 37-year-old Gaethje overcame a dangerous second round where Topuria dropped him with a series of heavy body shots. The tide turned completely in the third round when Gaethje flattened the previously unbeaten champion with a colossal right hand, following it up with a relentless barrage of uppercuts and knees. By the end of the fourth round, a devastating knee to the ribs left Topuria visibly injured and unable to continue. Topuria’s corner threw in the towel before the start of the fifth round, handing “El Matador” the first defeat of his professional career.
With this monumental victory, Gaethje finally captured undisputed UFC gold at the third attempt of his legendary career, securing a staggering $825,000 in post-fight bonuses.
In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane delivered another significant upset on the night, stopping Alex Pereira via a second-round TKO to capture the interim UFC heavyweight championship. The defeat shattered Pereira’s historic bid to become the first three-division champion in promotional history.
