Ilia Topuria suffered a loss to Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 15, 2026, held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. The event was part of a series of UFC matches hosted by President Donald Trump to mark his 80th birthday, described by the White House as a celebration of the American fighting spirit. Photographs from the event show Topuria being supported by trainers as he left the octagon. Following the defeat, Topuria made a candid admission about the fight, according to reports.
Ilia Topuria Loses Lightweight Title Bout to Justin Gaethje at White House UFC Event
