UFC Freedom 250 recap - Justin Gaethje won lightweight title from Ilia Topuria, Ciryl Gane TKOs Alex Pereira to claim interim heavyweight title

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Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria in an eagerly awaited showdown at UFC Freedom 250, topping a stacked card on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC. A brutal contest was called off at the end of the fourth round by Topuria's corner. In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane knocked out Alex Pereira to seize the interim heavyweight title.

'He's very conceited' - Gaethje continues war of words with Topuria

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gaethje shocks world with brutal victory

Justin Gaethje produced a huge upset beating Illia Topuria to secure the UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250.

Gaethje came into the event as the interim titlist but a 6/1 underdog against the undefeated champion who took personal leave at the end of last year, but the fight was declared in the American’s favour when Topuria’s corner pulled him out at the end of round four.

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Gaethje boxed well in the first round and though Topuria’s shots at this stage had greater impact, jabs opened up cuts around the Spain-based fighter’s eyes.

Topuria won the second with brutal body shots sending Gaethje to the mat but he survived and in the third turned the contest with a concussive right hand which looked to damage Topuria’s cheekbone and prevent him seeing out of his left eye.

It looked like the fight would be called off at the end of the third when Topuria said he couldn’t see - and the doctor concurred - but with the champion protesting, he was allowed to continue.

The fourth saw Topuria still competitive but unable to see right hands connecting with him and ended with Gaethje landing brutal knees to the kidney.

Back in the corner, wisely and not before time, Topuria’s corner decided their fighter had taken enough damage.

In the co-main event, a title (albeit interim) in a third weight class proved too great a step for Alex Pereira who was brutally demolished by Ciryl Gane.

The first round was relatively quiet but it was Gane who was pressing the fight and increasingly looking confident. In the second, a right jab rocked Pereira and he never recovered. Although the Brazilian gamely returned to his feet after an onslaught on the ground, he kept taking shots and a right-left combination saw Poatan sag against the Octagon, leading the referee to call a halt to the contest.

Down the card, there were knockouts galore with former champion Sugar Sean O’Malley, rising heavyweight Josh Hokit, highly-touted middleweight Bo Nickal and number-two ranked featherweight Diego Lopes all winning in this fashion.

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UFC Freedom 250 - Topuria v Gaethje live comments

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Gaethje is the new lightweight champion!

After two stints as interim champion, he can finally call himself a bona fide champ.

The fight is over!

In the Topuria corner they said "we finish the fight". Finally Gaethje has won the lightweight crown!

Topuria-Gaethje: Round 4

Gaethje lands a right hand early, though Topuria looked like he was aided by the added break. The American throws his opponent to the mat and after they return to their feet Topuria pads his left eye where the cheekbone looks badly damaged and he cannot see what is coming back. Topuria continues to be competitive but is recked by an uppercut. Topuria brings Gaethje down to the mat, but the second time he fails to do so and Gaethje has control on the mat, landing brutal knees to the body.

Crazy scenes in the corner

Topuria says he cannot see and after the doctor checks him, indicating the fight should be ruled over but the champion says he wants to continue, so the fight goes on.

Topuria-Gaethje: Round 3

Gaethje lands a huge right hand which sees Topuria drop to the ground which leaves the champion's face a bloody mess. The crowd launches into 'USA' chants. Gaethje looks the fighter with more gas in the tank and though he is caught with a right cross, he lands one of his own which now has more effect on his opponent. Gaethje ends the round with a knee lift and head kick. What a turnaround!

Topuria-Gaethje: Round 2

Topuria doesn't land a great deal early in the round but while Gaethje is landing more shots, he patiently works to the body and steps up his workmate a couple of minutes in. He pounds Gaethje with a brutal barrage to the body against the Octagon which sees the American sag down to the mat. On the ground Topuria goes for a submission but Gaethje escapes. The round ends with both tired and Topuria with control on top of his opponent.

Topuria-Gaethje: Round 1

Gaethje looks to establish the jab early but Topuria pays no respect, walking into range. A minute into the round Topuria lands rights and left which the American feels - despite the 'USA' chants in the crowd. Gaethje continues to land his jab and opens up a cut around Topuria's right eye. The Spaniard's jabs rock Gaethje back but the American is boxing well and lands with good right hands. However, the difference when they land is palpable with Gaethje's equilibrium off every time he is hit. Gaethje does cut the champion on the nose but he ends taking big body shots and uppercuts against the Octagon.

It's Time...

Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje (25-2).

Topuria makes his entrance

Like his fellow European in the last fight, he looks very relaxed.

Gaethje begins in Oval office

He passes the pictures of all the presidents while 'Aint No Grave', a traditional song recorded by Johnny Cash among others, is sung.

The Main event is next

A fight we have spent months waiting for.

'He is going to bully him' - TNT Sports experts predict winner of Topuria's clash with Gaethje

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gane TKOs Pereira in Round 2

Shortly after Gane went for a takedown, rebuffed by Pereira, the Frenchman landed a perfectly-timed right jab which sent Pereira to the mat. Gane leapt on him and landed brutal tomahawk shots and elbows to the Brazilian who somehow survived and landed his own strike as they got back to their feet. Gane just kept landing though and a big right hand followed by a straight left saw Pereira sag against the Octagon and the referee wave the fight off.

Gane-Pereira: Round 1

A patient start from both men as southpaw v orthodox match-ups often are, but it was Gane who connected most with his lead right hand. There was little offence from Pereira, bar a surprise head kick which Gane ducked and replied with one of his own. The Frenchman landed with calf kicks and ended with a counter right hand which rocked Pereira backwards.

Pereira launches war cry from balcony

He is all business. All the time.

Gane looks very relaxed

He dances his way to the Octagon and looks to be oozing with confidence.

The Co-Headliner is next...

Alex Pereira looks set to show he can become a three-weight star when he takes on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

O'Malley KOs Zahabi in Round 2

O'Malley's jabs leave a cut on the bridge of Zahabi's nose, but the Canadian has more success with his kicks slowing down the American's attacks. But then, O'Malley lands a perfectly timed jab which rocks his opponent, putting him down, and then, as Zahabi quickly got back to his feet, one more big right returned the fighter to the mat in a position in which the referee deemed he could not defend himself and the fight was waved off.

O'Malley-Zahabi: Round 1

Neither taking too many risks. O'Malley landing with more and going forward for most of the round. Connected with nice rights to the body and, in the closing thirty seconds, head shots with either hand. Zahabi had some success with calf kicks but not much else.

Sugar Sean next...

The former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley (19-3) takes on Alemann Zahabi (14-2).

Hokit TKOs Lewis in Round 2

Lewis forces Hokit back with some winging shots and the crowd start a 'Lewis, Lewis' chant. After 90 seconds he was puffed out through and Hokit kept connecting with big shots and the veteran's feet became increasingly wobbly. Eventually, repeated combinations put Lewis down and he was forced to take too many blows on his back with the fight clearly over.

Hokit-Lewis: Round 1

Hokit stays out of range initially as Lewis tries and fails to land, before the favourite takes the veteran to the ground and from then on lands right hands and elbows. As Lewis tries to get away he gives Hokit his back and has to take sickening blows to the back of his head. After a number more blows on the floor Hokit locks in an arm-bar but does not have the extension to force a submission. The fight won't last much longer though. It reflects badly on the UFC that Lewis is still a top-ten heavyweight.

Hokit walks out to Hulk Hogan's music

'Real American' blares out.

Big Men in Action Next

The No5 vs No9 ranked heavyweights as the unbeaten knockout artist Josh Hokit (9-0) looks to show he is a future champion when he takes on former title challenger Derrick Lewis (29-13).

The Main Eventers are in the White House

Ruffy TKOs Chandler in Round 1

Chandler trying to bounce into range but is being caught at range by leg kicks and straight shots from Ruffy. Chandler landed a right hand but didn't follow up trying to get a take down. Ruffy hurts Chandler with a spinning heel kick and as Chandler tries the Brazilian to the canvas, Ruffy escapes and lands a brutal uppercut and then a painful left hook to the body against the Octagon. Another spinning heel kick hurt Chandler and a huge right hand saw Chandler go down to his knees and a couple of, probably unnecessary, follow-up blows saw the fight stopped.

Ruffy-Chandler next...

A potential fight of the night contender as Mauricio Ruffy takes on veteran Michael Chandler (23-10, who we know will not die wondering.

Fury on Joshua fight

"Very, very excited for this fight," Fury said, sporting a cap saying 'Trump for Prime Minister'.

"It's been over a decade in the making. For whatever reason it hasn't happened before. Let's hope it happens right now. A potential fight in August and maybe at the end of the year it happens."

Fury said Dana White would make an announcement later and asked whether Dana White would be involved in the promotion, he said: "100%."

Tyson Fury is in the house

He walks out of the White House to 'Sex on Fire' to a fairly muted reaction it must be said.

Nickal TKOs Daukaus in Round 1

After thirty seconds or so of phoney war, Nickal picked up and slammed his opponent to the mat and kept him there, intermittently landing winging strikes or elbows. Surprisingly, the referee told them to get back to their feet with a minute on the clock. When on their feet, Nickal landed a kick, then straight left-right hook combination which saw Daukaus go down to the mat and after some ground and pound the fight was over.

Middleweights up next...

Rising star Bo Nickal (8-1) takes on Kyle Daukaus (17-4).

Lopes TKOs Garcia in Round 2

A southpaw left make Lopes dip a little but just when the fight looked to be heading away from him, the Brazilian changed the fight with a left hook which rocked Garcia to his socks and saw him knee down on the mat briefly. He tried to brawl but Lopes knew his man was hurt and kept on punching until he fell to the floor, after which ground and pound saw the referee step in.

Lopes-Garcia: Round 1

Both land good shots early but Garcia took control moving in and out of distance and rocking the Brazilian's heads back on a couple of occasions. Lopes gets some good calf kicks and counter right hands, but it is the American who lands more adding a head kick to his sharp strikes.