All articles tagged with #gaethje
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev questions Ilia Topuria's pre-fight celebrations before his bout with Justin Gaethje, suggesting the party the night before cost him focus and contributed to Topuria's loss in the UFC White House main event. He argues Topuria underestimated Gaethje's durability, though he also says Topuria remains a talented fighter who could rebound if he refocuses.
At UFC 329 media day, Conor McGregor brushed off Justin Gaethje's challenge, saying he isn't prioritizing a lightweight return and hints at pursuing a 'triple crown' by capturing titles in three divisions, while set to fight Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329.
Max Holloway is focused on his July 11 title fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 329, while Justin Gaethje’s win over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House has sparked talk of a possible Holloway–Gaethje rematch; Holloway praised Gaethje’s performance, noted the complexity of ‘MMA math,’ and said he’ll pursue his own path with UFC guiding the next steps after his win.
Conor McGregor is targeting quick activity upon his return at UFC 329 against Max Holloway, signaling openness to a welterweight title run despite being a former lightweight champion. He’s not fixated on any single opponent beyond staying busy, notes that there are several potential foes, and emphasizes he has two fights left on his UFC contract as he looks to “bring it all on.”
The UFC's White House event drew an estimated 34 million viewers worldwide (17 million in the US/Latin America), with more countries reporting later; Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by knockout to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, forcing Topuria’s corner to stop the fight in the fifth round and becoming the undisputed lightweight champion. He ruled out an immediate rematch, accusing Topuria of quitting twice and signaling he’ll pursue top contenders like Arman Tsarukyan, while also joking about compensation and even UFC equity as part of his post‑fight plans.
Justin Gaethje says he’s not retiring after his fourth-round TKO of Ilia Topuria to win the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250, though retirement was on his mind; he won’t pursue an immediate Topuria rematch and is weighing opponents like Arman Tsarukyan, a Oliveira rematch, or the McGregor–Holloway winner, while also pushing for higher pay and even UFC equity to secure his legacy.
Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria shouldn’t earn a rematch after his corner-stoppage TKO loss in the UFC White House main event, noting he “stopped him twice” and that Topuria appeared finished as the fight ended. Gaethje teased staying active but has no definite next opponent yet, explicitly stating Topuria won’t get a rematch and suggesting he should fight someone like Paddy Pimblett instead.
UFC Freedom 250 drew an average of about 7 million U.S. viewers on Paramount+, the network’s largest-ever live stream, surpassing the 5 million who watched UFC 324 under the ongoing Paramount deal; the seven-fight card, headlined by Justin Gaethje’s upset of Ilia Topuria, was measured using Nielsen’s live-streaming metrics.
Justin Gaethje captured the undisputed UFC lightweight title by delivering a near-perfect performance against Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, calling the moment 'insane' and emphasizing precise timing. He hinted that this could be his last title run and suggested that fighting again in 2026 is unlikely.
Ilia Topuria left the hospital after sustaining non-displaced fractures to both orbital bones from his fight with Justin Gaethje. Doctors say no surgery is needed, and he is recovering at home. He has sent a defiant message about returning stronger and has signaled a rematch, though he won’t fight again in 2026.
Rolling Stone covers Freedom 250, a UFC event staged on the White House South Lawn for Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, a showcase born from Trump’s long-running ties with UFC president Dana White. The night delivered seven knockouts, highlighted by Justin Gaethje’s dramatic win over Ilia Topuria, as politicians, business leaders, and tech elites—including Mark Zuckerberg—packed a roughly 4,000-seat arena and watched from the Ellipse. The spectacle featured a patriotic anthem, intense branding, security detail, and recruitment ads on jumbo screens, drawing critique of crony capitalism even as the fights provided MMA drama.
Justin Gaethje toppled undefeated Ilia Topuria to become the new lightweight champion in a surreal UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn, overcoming a brutal body-shot onslaught and forcing a corner stoppage between rounds 4 and 5. The night's card also saw Ciryl Gane KO Alex Pereira to claim the interim heavyweight title, plus knockouts for Sean O'Malley, Bo Nickal, Diego Lopes, Mauricio Ruffy, and Josh Hokit, all wrapped in a blockbuster production with live music and pyrotechnics. The event, despite doubts about the venue, delivered one of UFC's most shocking and spectacle-filled nights to date.
Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by fourth‑round TKO at UFC Freedom 250 in the White House event to become the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion in a brutal back‑and‑forth fight. Topuria was taken to the hospital after sustaining damage, and he retired on his stool before the fifth round. Gaethje, 37, credited his experience for the win and teased the possibility of a rematch as he adds the sport’s top prize to his résumé.
Justin Gaethje weathered Ilia Topuria’s early onslaught after Topuria predicted a first-round KO, then took control to stop him by the fourth round. Topuria’s corner halted the fight as Gaethje claimed the undisputed UFC title, and he said there won’t be an immediate rematch, while considering Topuria’s next steps.