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Gaethje upsets undefeated Topuria to win UFC lightweight title at White House event
Gaethje ended Topuria’s 17-0 record on June 14 at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn. The victory gave Gaethje the UFC lightweight championship.
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D.C. Gaethje entered the bout as an underdog against Topuria, who held a 17-0 record. Gaethje won the UFC lightweight championship with the victory.
Gaethje posted a YouTube video titled “Behind The Curtain – EPISODE 4” after the fight. In the video, coach Trevor Whitman said, “He has been great all week. ” The footage showed Gaethje hitting mitts with Whitman, sparring with a partner, and conducting grappling sessions.
Gaethje trained six days per week during camp. m. Tuesdays were fixed sparring days. Wednesdays combined striking and strength work that included vertaclimber, bike cardio, Australian pull-ups, and battle ropes.
Thursdays focused on wrestling, takedowns, and ground positioning. Fridays usually featured sparring, depending on proximity to fight day. Saturdays began with jumpropes and shadowboxing, followed by striking and assault bike cardio.
Sundays were rest days. On the final day of camp, Gaethje completed striking, sparring, and grappling sessions in a single day. com reported that the structured schedule prepared Gaethje for the June 14 bout.
As of June 21, 2026, Gaethje holds the UFC lightweight championship.
