Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday, stopping Ilia Topuria at the end of the fourth round at the White House to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Topuria was cut in the first round — the first time he had been visibly damaged in the UFC — and the situation deteriorated from there as his eyes swelled and his face absorbed heavy punishment throughout a brutal back-and-forth war. The doctor was called into the octagon at the end of round three to check on Topuria’s eyes, but referee Marc Goddard allowed the fight to continue. At the end of round four, Topuria’s corner pulled him from the fight.
Topuria was transported to hospital immediately after the bout, with Dana White addressing his condition at the post-fight press conference.
Yeah, we literally had him get out of the octagon before Gaethje’s hand was even raised and sent him to the hospital. Ilia is in the hospital, he’s busted up, I’m not a doctor but his eye looked like he probably has a broken orbital. I don’t know that for sure, that’s not a fact but I’m assuming. My plans for him are to go home and rest and recover, take his time. Tonight was a rough night for him. I just hope he’s healthy and good. I’m not even thinking about him fighting again.
Gaethje becomes the first man to stop Topuria in professional MMA. The nature of the finish — Topuria’s corner pulling him rather than Topuria finishing on his feet — has prompted criticism from multiple fighters, with Arman Tsarukyan, Jake Paul, and Islam Makhachev among those calling him a quitter.