Justin Gaethje shocks MMA world with upset win vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

In what will be remembered as one of the most shocking results in UFC history, Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria via TKO to win the undisputed UFC lightweight championship on Sunday night after Topuria’s corner stopped the fight following the fourth round of the UFC Freedom 250 main event.

The victory earned Gaethje the first undisputed UFC title of his career. He entered the bout as interim lightweight champion after earning a decision win over Paddy Pimblett in January while Topuria stepped away from competition due to a family matter. Gaethje had previously held the interim lightweight belt in 2020 following a TKO victory over Tony Ferguson before losing a title unification bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov later that year.

The championship fight featured several momentum swings. Gaethje established his jab early and opened a cut on Topuria during the opening round. Topuria responded by increasing his output late in the frame and carried that momentum into the second round, targeting the body and landing a liver shot that dropped Gaethje. The former champion followed with ground strikes and attempted both an armbar and triangle submission, but Gaethje escaped.

In the third round, Gaethje began to regain control. A powerful right hand shook Topuria, after which Gaethje took him down in search of a front choke, while another right hand near the end of the round visibly hurt the Spaniard. Between round three and four, a cageside doctor examined Topuria’s eye after concerns about his vision were raised, but referee Marc Goddard allowed the contest to continue.

The fourth round remained competitive, with both fighters exchanging heavy strikes. Gaethje repeatedly attacked the damaged eye, while Topuria secured another takedown and achieved mount, before Gaethje worked free and continued landing offense, capping the round with a hard knee to the body. Following the round, Topuria’s corner elected to stop the fight.

The result improved Gaethje’s UFC record to 11-5 and extended his winning streak to three fights.

For Topuria, the defeat was the first UFC loss of his career. The former featherweight champion had won the vacant lightweight title in 2025 with a first-round TKO over Charles Oliveira and entered UFC Freedom 250 with a 9-0 UFC record.

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