Gage defeated Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 and became a full-fledged champion for the first time
MMA Mania reports on Justin Gaethje’s victory over Ilia Topuria. Topuria did not come out for the fifth round after his corner stopped the fight, and Gaethje became the new undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
On the night of 15 June, the main lightweight bout of the evening took place at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. UFC champion Ilia Topuria defended his title against American Justin Gaethje.
The 37-year-old Gage emerged victorious. After four rounds, Topuria’s corner stopped the fight, not letting him out for the final five-minute round. The result was officially recorded as a victory for Gage by stoppage by his corner after the fourth round.
How the fight unfolded
The first round was competitive and tough. Gage worked actively with his jab and tried to meet Topuria with counter-punches, but the reigning champion also landed several powerful blows and ended the round with an aggressive flurry.
In the second round, Topuria focused on body shots. He managed to send Gage to the canvas with a blow to the liver, after which he took a dominant position on the ground. However, the American managed to survive until the end of the round.
The turning point in the third round
In the third round, Gage seized the initiative. He landed several right-hand strikes, rocked Topuria and cut his face badly.
After that, the pace of the fight changed: Topuria continued to press forward, but was increasingly taking heavy blows. According to MMA Mania, by the end of the third round the champion’s face was covered in blood, and the initiative had shifted to Gajji.
Why the fight was stopped
The fourth round also saw heavy exchanges. Topuria still tried to attack the body and take the fight to the ground, but the swelling and damage to his face were becoming increasingly noticeable.
After the fourth round, Topuria’s corner stopped the fight. Al Jazeera reports that Topuria ‘tapped out’ after the end of the fourth round, and Gajji became the new undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
What Geiji’s victory means
For Justin Gaethje, this is his first full UFC lightweight title. He had previously fought for the belt twice, but lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
The victory over Topuria was one of the biggest of Gajji’s career. He stopped a fighter who had previously been undefeated and held the lightweight title.
The White House event
UFC Freedom 250 took place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. The event was attended by US President Donald Trump and became one of the most talked-about UFC events due to its venue.
In the co-main event of the evening, Cyril Gane defeated Alex Pereira to claim the interim heavyweight title.
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