UFC Freedom 250: Gaethje stuns Topuria to capture UFC lightweight crown

Justin Gaethje authored the biggest upset of his career, stopping Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday (U.S. time) on the White House lawn to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

Entering the bout as a sizable underdog, Gaethje delivered a performance for the ages, capping the American spectacle by dethroning one of the sport’s most feared champions.

The 37-year-old veteran engaged Topuria in a dangerous firefight and emerged victorious. Gaethje bloodied the champion early with jabs and put him through a meat grinder with a relentless barrage of strikes.

The tide turned heavily in the third round when Gaethje connected with a thunderous right hand that sent Topuria crashing to the canvas. After the horn, the cageside physician expressed concern over Topuria’s swollen eyes, but referee Marc Goddard allowed the fight to continue.

Gaethje continued to pile on damage in the fourth. He repeatedly attacked the body with brutal knee strikes, leaving the champion visibly depleted. Although Topuria survived the frame, his corner had seen enough and stopped the contest between rounds.

The victory marked the crowning achievement of Gaethje’s UFC career. A two-time interim titleholder, the Arizona native finally secured undisputed status while handing Topuria the first loss of his professional career.

Gaethje improved to 28-5, while Topuria fell to 17-1.

In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane reclaimed the interim UFC heavyweight championship with an upset of his own. The French striker used his precise combinations to knock out Brazil’s Alex Pereira in the second round.

—JKC, GMA News