Gaethje shocks Topuria to win UFC lightweight title at White House event

American ‌Justin Gaethje has turned the tables on Ilia ⁠Topuria to ⁠ claim a shock win and take the lightweight UFC crown at the UFC Freedom 250 event on ⁠the lawn of the White House.

After Topuria (17-1) edged a thrilling first two rounds on Sunday night, Gaethje (28-5) stunned the Spaniard ⁠with a crunching right hand before following it up with a brutal flurry of jabs that left his opponent’s face swollen and bloodied.

Topuria appeared to have trouble ‌seeing and was checked by a doctor before continuing through the fourth round, but his corner threw in the towel before the final round in Washington, DC.

“I cannot even believe it. … I knew I was going to have to get through the first round. His skills ⁠are unmatched when he’s fresh,” Gaethje ⁠said.

“But my durability, my tenacity and my heart were going to carry me through.”

The bout headlined the first professional sporting event to ⁠be hosted at the White House. It is a key part of United States President ⁠Donald Trump’s celebrations of the nation’s ⁠250th anniversary and was held on his 80th birthday.

In the co-main event, France’s Ciryl Gane dominated Brazil’s Alex Pereira before scoring a stunning second-round knockout win to become the ‌interim UFC heavyweight champion.

Pereira, a former light heavyweight and middleweight champion, was looking to become the first UFC ‌fighter ‌to win titles in three divisions after stepping up to heavyweight.