Gaethje wins undisputed lightweight title after Topuria quits on stool following four rounds

Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by TKO in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House in Washington, DC. The lightweight title unification bout ended after four rounds when Topuria remained on his stool and did not answer the bell for the fifth. Gaethje left the venue as the undisputed champion at 155 pounds.

It marked his third attempt to capture the title. Topuria sustained broken orbital bones and finished the fight bleeding and bruised, with both eyes nearly swollen shut. Gaethje appeared largely unmarked after absorbing hard shots from Topuria throughout the contest.

Com reported that Gaethje survived a series of body strikes in round two, including liver shots that dropped him to the canvas. Gaethje discussed the outcome during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “One word describes it all, and it’s timing,” he said.

Gaethje described his defensive adjustments in detail. “If you watch frame by frame, I’m constantly dissipating the energy that (Topuria) is trying to send in straight lines, and they’re all coming off and glancing off my body,” he stated. He compared the process to “computers processing code” and said he reset Topuria’s feet every one to two seconds.

Gaethje also addressed the contrast in visible damage. It’s really not that,” he said.