Justin Gaethje ended a career-long wait for undisputed lightweight gold with a stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at the UFC's extraordinary fight card at the White House. The 37-year-old American, a heavy underdog, delivered a bludgeoning performance in front of US president Donald Trump, battering the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard until his corner threw in the towel after the fourth round.
The fight was briefly interrupted when referee Marc Goddard appeared to overrule the doctor's desire to stop the contest over concerns about Topuria's vision. Topuria was later transported to hospital, with UFC president Dana White fearing he may have a broken orbital bone.
Gaethje's triumph followed six straight knockouts on a night where no fight went the distance. Ciryl Gane also pulled off a huge upset, knocking out Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title, derailing Pereira's push for glory in a third division.
Elsewhere on the card, Sean O'Malley defeated Canada's Aiemann Zahabi, while controversial heavyweight Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama a 'man' after stopping Derrick Lewis. Bo Nickal and Diego Lopes were victorious, and Mauricio Ruffy secured the finish of the night with a spinning wheel kick on Michael Chandler.
Eric Trump forcefully denied online allegations that he sought insider information about the event being rigged, dismissing screenshots from Daniel Cormier as fabricated by artificial intelligence. The spectacle unfolded on the South Lawn of the White House, temporarily delayed by bad weather, on the president's 80th birthday.
