Justin Gaethje pulled off a stunning upset at UFC Freedom 250, defeating Ilia Topuria to win the UFC undisputed lightweight championship. The fight, held on the White House lawn as part of President Donald Trump's 80th birthday celebration, saw the American underdog buck the odds and deliver a signature performance for a crowd that included the president himself.
Gaethje dominated the bout, earning both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses for the third time in his career. His prize money totaled $825,000, according to CBS Sports. The victory marks the pinnacle of a career defined by brawls and highlight-reel finishes.
The event was the first professional sports competition ever held at the White House, part of the 'America 250' celebrations. UFC president Dana White called the event 'great' but made clear to ESPN that 'we'll never do this again.' The spectacle drew both praise and criticism, with some outlets describing it as 'bizarre' and 'offensive.'
For Gaethje, the lightweight title opens a path to a 'revenge tour' against top contenders. Topuria, meanwhile, will look to rebound from his first loss in the promotion. The UFC's next major event schedule remains unannounced, but both fighters are expected to be matched against elite opposition in the coming months.
'He's a tough kid,' Gaethje said of Topuria after the fight, according to Yahoo Sports. 'But I knew if I stuck to my game plan, I could get the win.'