American fighter Justin Gaethje delivered one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history Sunday, defeating Ilia Topuria to claim the lightweight championship at a landmark event held on the grounds of the White House.
Topuria appeared to be in control through the first two rounds of the contest, but Gaethje changed the momentum dramatically with a powerful right hand that rocked the Spaniard. He followed that up with a relentless combination of punches that left Topuria’s face badly swollen and bleeding.
By the fourth round, Topuria was visibly struggling and had difficulty seeing. A ringside physician examined him before allowing the fight to continue, but Topuria’s corner ultimately decided to stop the contest before the fifth and final round could begin.
A disbelieving Gaethje reflected on the victory afterward. “I cannot even believe it … I knew I was going to have to get through the first round, his skills are unmatched when he’s fresh,” he said. “But my durability, my tenacity and my heart were going to carry me through.”
The championship bout served as the headliner for “UFC Freedom 250,” which made history as the first professional sporting event ever staged at the White House. The occasion was a centerpiece of U.S. President Donald Trump’s festivities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
In the evening’s co-main event, France’s Ciryl Gane put on a dominant performance against Brazil’s Alex Pereira, finishing the fight with a spectacular second-round knockout to claim the interim UFC heavyweight title. Pereira, who previously held both the light heavyweight and middleweight championships, had been attempting to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles across three weight classes.
