Gaethje knocks out Topuria in fourth round to claim UFC lightweight title at White House event

Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by technical knockout in the fourth round to win the UFC lightweight championship at a White House event held to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The 37-year-old American overcame a series of heavy strikes and submission attempts from Topuria, rallying in the third and fourth rounds with combinations that left the Spanish fighter's face visibly cut and swollen. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the card, dubbed "UFC White House — Freedom 250," and shook hands with Gaethje inside the cage after the bout. The loss ended Topuria's 17-fight unbeaten run and marked the first defeat of his professional career. The 29-year-old had been the division's champion and had not previously lost as a professional. The win was the 28th of Gaethje's career, against five defeats. The bout was the featured title fight on the South Lawn card staged as part of the broader U.S. independence anniversary celebrations.