Publication Date: June 15, 2026, 04:20h.
Updated on: June 15, 2026, 04:20h.
- An astonishing upset in UFC history as Gaethje shocks Topuria
- Profitable evening for bettors, with Gaethje starting at +360
- Gaethje saw the highest betting volume at BetMGM prior to the event
American fighter Justin Gaethje, entering his UFC lightweight unification title bout against Ilia Topuria as a +360 underdog, achieved one of the most remarkable upsets in UFC history with a knockout in the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250, marking the first-ever loss for the Spaniard in the UFC.
Gaethje’s Unyielding Display
In an unconventional Octagon constructed for around $60 million on the South Lawn of the White House, 4,300 military personnel and an additional 80,000 spectators viewing from large screens at The Ellipse and National Mall witnessed a classic Gaethje performance, showcasing a grueling four-round onslaught against the lightweight champion.
With a battered face, Topuria was unable to rise from his corner at the end of the fourth round. At the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White disclosed that Topuria had been taken to the hospital, suspecting a fractured orbital bone.
“When the third round hit and I began landing those jabs, I realized he was retreating; something was different,” Gaethje stated at the press event.
A Heartbreaking Defeat
Topuria entered the octagon following a seven-month hiatus due to personal issues, boasting an impeccable 17-0 professional MMA record. He had made headlines with a sequence of dramatic victories, including a quick first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title in June 2025 and a knockout of Max Holloway in October 2024 to defend his featherweight title.
His accomplishments also included a second-round knockout against Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, earning him the UFC featherweight championship. Many experts considered him the most talented pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
Gaethje has been with the UFC since 2017, transitioning from the World Series of Fighting. He dramatically captured the interim lightweight title for the second time in January with a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
After nearly a decade in the UFC, Gaethje has finally claimed the undisputed lightweight championship.
Forever the Underdog
“I’m going to savor this victory,” remarked Gaethje. “I’ve faced doubts throughout my career. Out of 16 fights in the UFC, I have been the underdog approximately 11 or 12 times. Nearly every fight! And I hold a 9-2 record as an underdog. I thrive in this situation.”
Johnny Avello, Director of Sports Operations at DraftKings, mentioned that the White House event concluded an electrifying Sunday for sports betting.
“In spite of competing with the World Cup and Game 6 of the Stanley Cup, UFC Freedom 250 attracted significant betting activity, with the Topuria-Gaethje match driving much of the interest as we wrapped up a thrilling sports weekend,” he added.
Successful Night for Bettors
John Ewing, a representative from BetMGM, shared with Casino.org that UFC Freedom 250 “sparked a lot of engagement from bettors.”
The Topuria-Gaethje fight was the most wagered on event, yielding a favorable outcome for customers, as Gaethje emerged as the most popular underdog to seize victory. Heading into the match, Gaethje at +360 received the highest betting volume at BetMGM, both in ticket sales and total handle. Gaethje by KO/TKO was listed at +550.
Ciryl Gane’s victory over Alex Pereira in a heavyweight interim title bout was another crucial win for the sportsbook, especially with Tom Aspinall still recovering from an eye injury; Pereira was a favored pick, and Gane’s triumph disrupted many betting parlays.
White’s Last Word
UFC Freedom 250 was a monumental logistical effort, taking nearly a full year of planning. This event was inspired by President Donald Trump’s announcement last July to host a UFC fight to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Trump, who turned 80, was seen sitting ringside next to UFC’s Dana White. The event featured seven matches, including two title fights.
“This was a unique experience, an unprecedented occurrence that will never happen again,” White stated during the post-fight conference. “I can’t financially manage this again. It’s not feasible to repeat this. We won’t return to the Sphere in Las Vegas [where the UFC held an event in 2024], and this won’t happen again. I always strive to provide fans the best experience possible in fantastic arenas equipped with cutting-edge technology.”
Besides Gaethje’s career-defining upset, other noteworthy narratives included Gane thwarting Pereira’s ambitions to secure championships in three weight classes via a second-round KO, and Mauricio Ruffy’s dominance against Michael Chandler with a first-round KO in another lightweight bout.
What’s Next for McGregor?
A remarkable sequence of stoppages highlighted the event, including finishes in the Gaethje-Topuria, Gane-Pereira, Ruffy-Chandler, Sean O’Malley-Aiemann Zahabi, Josh Hokit-Derrick Lewis, Bo Nickal-Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes-Steve Garcia fights, showcasing one of the most thrilling fight cards in recent memory.
Gaethje did not confirm any retirement rumors, and with the title now in his possession, alongside Topuria and Ruffy as potential challengers, plus notable fighters like Pimblett, Holloway, Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan in the mix, the lightweight division is at its most competitive since the era of Conor McGregor.
Speaking of McGregor, DraftKings currently lists him as a +250 underdog for his upcoming July 12 flyweight fight against Holloway (-310). McGregor hasn’t competed since 2021 when he suffered a leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier.