UFC Freedom 250: Gaethje ends Topuria unbeaten run to claim lightweight title
Justin Gaethje captured the UFC lightweight title after handing previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria the first loss of his career at UFC Freedom 250, a historic event staged on the grounds of the White House.
Washington, D.C. — Justin Gaethje won the UFC lightweight championship after defeating Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Topuria suffered the first defeat of his professional career after his corner stopped the contest following four rounds of sustained pressure from Gaethje.
The American controlled large portions of the fight and secured the most significant win of his career, taking the title in front of a capacity crowd on the White House grounds.
In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane won the interim heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage victory over former two-weight champion Alex Pereira.
Sean O’Malley returned to winning form with a second-round stoppage of Aiemann Zahabi, while Josh Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis by technical knockout on the main card.
Mauricio Ruffy stopped Michael Chandler in the first round, Bo Nickal also secured a first-round finish against Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes opened the event with a victory over Steve Garcia.
The event formed part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. It was the first UFC card staged at the White House.
All seven fights on the main card ended via knockout or technical knockout.
Main Card Results
- Justin Gaethje def. Ilia Topuria — TKO (corner stoppage), Round 4 — Lightweight title
- Ciryl Gane def. Alex Pereira — TKO, Round 2 — Interim heavyweight title
- Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi — TKO, Round 2
- Josh Hokit def. Derrick Lewis — TKO, Round 2
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Michael Chandler — TKO, Round 1
- Bo Nickal def. Kyle Daukaus — TKO, Round 1
- Diego Lopes def. Steve Garcia — TKO, Round 2
