In what will go down as one of the most shocking results in the history of UFC, UFC Freedom 250 ends with a bang as Justin Gaethje finishes the now-previously undefeated Ilia Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Gaethje looked to work the jab early, working combinations early in spite of Topuria’s powerful right hand landing. Gaethje managed to bust Topuria open in round one, but Topuria turned up the pace late, resulting in a brawl-like battle throughout the round’s last minute.
Topuria landed a strong combination in the second round, as the two went back to working their jabs and combinations. Topuria started focusing on the body, and that seemed to help him do damage to Gaethje. Topuria dug in with Gaethje against the fence, landing a liver shot that dropped him to the mat.
Topuria got right on top, landing more shots and looking for an armbar. Topuria locked up a triangle with the armbar, but Gaethje managed to escape, despite still being mounted.
With both men fatigued to start the third round, Gaethje started to slowly work his way back with his striking. A solid right hand dropped Topuria to the mat. Gaethje, however, looked for a front choke, but Topuria was able to get back to his feet and back in the fight. Gaethje landed another right hand with less than a minute left that stunned Topuria.
Between rounds three and four, the doctor was called in to observe Topuria’s eye. Despite a remark that Topuria couldn’t see, and the doctor seemingly ready to stop the fight, referee Marc Goddard allowed the fight to continue.
The two continued to trade hard shots in the fourth round, with Gaethje targeting the eye. But just as Gaethje looked to be wrapping the round up, Topuria scored another takedown, getting back into mount. Gaethje worked his way out, however, and continued to damage.
On the stool, Topuria’s corner withdrew the fighter, putting a cap on one of the greatest upsets in UFC title fight history and giving Gaethje his moment.
Justin Gaethje Ends Ilia Topuria’s Undefeated Run, Becomes UFC Lightweight Champion
Gaethje was interim champion for a second time entering this fight. Gaethje’s first interim title reign was in 2020, defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Gaethje was 0-2 in undisputed lightweight title fights entering tonight, losing previously to both Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
This marked Topuria’s first fight as the defending UFC lightweight champion. Topuria, also a former featherweight champion, won the 155-pound title last year at UFC 317, where he knocked out Charles Oliveira. Topuria has been sidelined for months due to a child custody battle.