Justin Gaethje stunned Ilia Topuria with a fourth-round stoppage to win the UFC lightweight title at the White House on June 15, 2026. President Donald Trump hosted UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn to celebrate his 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary, with the card featuring several notable knockouts including Ciryl Gane’s interim heavyweight title win, a Sky Sports report said.
Gaethje bloodied Topuria with a left-right combination to the face in the third round of their lightweight title fight, leading to an extended break in which doctors evaluated the damage, according to the report. Topuria’s corner subsequently called for the contest to be halted after the fourth round, resulting in the upset victory for the American fighter. Gaethje was then greeted by Trump in the Octagon following his title-winning performance. The fighters had prepared in different rooms within the White House complex and passed through the Oval Office prior to their bouts, Sky Sports reported.
In one of the featured contests, Ciryl Gane knocked out Alex Pereira at 1:27 of the second round to claim the interim UFC heavyweight championship. The French striker landed a clean left hand to the chin of the Brazilian, prompting the referee to wave off the action, Sky Sports reported. This outcome provided another highlight on a card that blended combat sports with a significant national celebration.
The full event comprised seven bouts in total, the report detailed. Sean O’Malley achieved a knockout victory against Aiemann Zahabi in bantamweight competition and saluted members of the military in attendance afterward. Diego Lopes stopped Steve Garcia with a knockout in their featherweight encounter, while Mauricio Ruffy defeated Michael Chandler by knockout in a lightweight division matchup.
Heavyweight action saw Josh Hokit defeat Derrick Lewis in the second round, according to the Sky Sports summary of results. Middleweight prospect Bo Nickal secured a first-round knockout over Kyle Daukaus to open the card. The unusual venue required special arrangements, with the Octagon erected on the presidential grounds for the occasion.
The timing of the UFC event coincided with President Trump confirming a deal to end the war in Iran that would reopen oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the report noted. UFC chief Dana White was in attendance and pictured alongside the president during the festivities. Such high-profile pairings reflect the longstanding relationship between Trump and the UFC leadership that dates back to the promotion’s early challenges with regulatory approval in the 1990s, according to historical accounts from ESPN.
