2026-06-15 05:09:01
Justin Gaethje stops Ilia Topuria in UFC Freedom 250 main event
Headlining Sunday's UFC Freedom 250 event at The White House was a lightweight title unification bout between champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje. Topuria moved up to the lightweight division after defeating former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Max Holloway in October 2024 in his first 145-pound title defense. He relinquished the belt, moved to lightweight and became a two-division titleholder by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira. A divorce kept Topuria out of the cage since last June and an interim champion was crowned in his absence. Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett for the interim belt and earned a crack at Topuria and the undisputed championship. Topuria predicted a first-round knockout. Topuria took the center of the cage. Gaethje met him with a jab. Topuria walked forward. He landdd a leg kick. Gaethje looked for a takedown and landed an uppercut on the break. Topuria landed a leg kick. Gaethje landed a right hand and Topuria responded with a right hand. Topuria connected with a counter right hand. Gaethje found a home with an uppercut. He's cut near his right eye. Gaethje s jab was landing. Topuria responded with a right to t he body. Midway thought the first frame, They exchanged jabs. Gaethje landed an uppercut on the inside. Topuria continued to press forward. Gaethje connected with a clean right hand. Another right hand found a home for Gaethe. Topiuria connected with a combination. He landed an uppercut on the inside. They exchanged recklessly. Topuria landed a combination. Topuria picked up the pressure. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gaethje. They touched gloves to start the second. Topuria pressed forward. Topuria targeted the body of Gaethje. Topuria stepped in the pocket with a left hand. He continued to invest in body shots. Gaethje landed his uppercut one the inside. Gaethje connected with a huge right hand. Topuria took it. He pressured Gaethje. Topiuia hurt Gaethje to the body. Gaethje fired back. A liver shot put Gaethje down. Topuria mounted him. He applied a triangle from the top. Gaethje got free but Topuria mounted him again. The round ended with Topuria in side control. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Topuria. Gaethje's corner asked him to pressure Topuria. Gaethje immediately clinched. Topuria broke free. The pace slowed. Topuria landed a counter right off of a leg kick. Gaethje connected with his jab. Gaethje hurt Topuria with a right hand. Gaethje briefly looked for a choke. Topuria got to his feet. Gaethje partially landed a head kick. Gaethje connected with a combination and clinched. Topuria's face was a bloody mess. Topuria landed to the body. He connected with a right hand. Gaethje responded with a right hand that caused Topuria to retreat. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gaethje. The doctor checked Topuria. He seemingly stopped the fight before letting it continue. Gaethje clinched and traded uppercuts. Gaethje connected with a clean right hand. Gaethje tossed Topuria to the ground. Topuria quickly got up. Gaethje's jab continued to land. Topuria found a home with a right hook. Gaethje landed but Topuria responded with a right hand. Gaethje jumped in with a knee. Topuria got hurt with an uppercut. Topuria went to the body with a right. Topuria's left eye was badly swollen. Topuria took Gaethje down and mounted him. He delivered an elbow. Gaethje scrambled to his feet. Topuria looked for a takedown but Gaethje sprawled. Gaethje delivered a hard knee to the body. The fight was stopped between rounds. Gaethje became the new UFC lightweight champion due to corner stoppage. GETTING STARTED EARLY 😳@Justin_Gaethje | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus![ Title fights presented by @Cryptocom ] pic.twitter.com/EGtBJXGBCW— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026 DROPPED THE CHAMP 😱@Justin_Gaethje | #UFCWhiteHouse#UFCWhiteHouse LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus![ Title fights presented by @Cryptocom ] pic.twitter.com/G36sY59igq— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026 Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 10:09 PM.
