Gaethje Stuns Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 White House Event

Justin Gaethje claimed the UFC lightweight championship after Ilia Topuria's corner waved off their White House main event following round four on Sunday night.

The upset win at UFC Freedom 250 closed Gaethje as a heavy underdog, with oddsmakers listing him at plus-400 before the opening bell. Topuria entered the bout confident enough to stage a victory celebration the night before, but four rounds of heavy damage forced his brother Aleksandre to stop the contest between frames, MMA Mania reports.

Gaethje's Ground-and-Pound Breaks Topuria

Gaethje landed repeated power shots that left both of Topuria's eyes swollen shut and his face visibly disfigured by the third round. A ringside physician attempted to halt the bout after that frame, but Topuria's corner allowed him to continue for one more session. The Georgian fighter nearly rallied with a few dangerous moments, yet Gaethje's offense proved too much over the four-round stretch.

The victory marks Gaethje's first undisputed lightweight title and delivers a symbolic win for the home crowd at the White House celebration. Topuria, who had been picked nearly unanimously by media outlets before the fight, was reportedly transported to a local hospital following the stoppage.

Gaethje is expected to address his next title defense at the post-fight press conference scheduled for later Sunday evening.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Humbled! UFC fighters react to Ilia Topuria’s brutal loss at the hands of American hero Justin Gaethje