Gaethje downs Topuria to claim undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250

For the first time in his UFC career, Justin Gaethje is an undisputed champion.

He officially stripped away the interim tag, defeating Ilia Topuria by TKO due to corner stoppage to claim the lightweight title in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday.

Gaethje claimed the interim belt in a decision win over Paddy Pimblett in January, while Topuria stepped away from the octagon to tend to a family matter. It was the second time in his career holding the interim 155-pound title, first doing so in 2020 with a TKO win over Tony Ferguson. That reign was short-lived, however, as Gaethje was submitted in a unification bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov five months later.

“The highlight” made sure history would not repeat itself on Sunday, laying claim to the undisputed title on home soil, on the grand stage of the White House no less. With the win, Gaethje improves to 11-5 in the UFC and extends his win streak to three in a row.

As for Topuria, it marks his first UFC loss since debuting for the promotion in 2020. The now 9-1 Spaniard first claimed a then-vacant lightweight title with a first-round TKO win against Charles Oliveira in 2025 — Topuria’s first fight after jumping up to 155 pounds. He previously held the featherweight title in 2024, making him one of just 11 two-division champions in UFC history.