How many title fights has Justin Gaethje had before UFC Freedom 250?

Gaethje had three previous UFC title fights—two losses (vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, vs. Charles Oliveira in 2021) and one interim title win (vs. Dustin Poirier in 2018)—before challenging for the vacant lightweight strap at UFC Freedom 250.

Who did Gaethje defeat to win the UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250?

Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria via first-round guillotine choke at 2:22 to claim the vacant UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom 255 on May 4, 2025.

What was Gaethje’s record before UFC Freedom 250?

Gaethje entered UFC Freedom 250 with a UFC record of 13-3, including a 1-2 mark in title fights, and a professional MMA record of 25-4.

When is Gaethje’s first title defense scheduled?

Gaethje’s first UFC lightweight title defense is set for UFC 300 on August 9, 2025, against Islam Makhachev in a rematch of their February 2023 bout.

How did Gaethje finish Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250?

Gaethje dropped Topuria with a right hand at 0:58 of the first round, then locked in a guillotine choke that forced Topuria to submit at 2:22.

What historical significance does Gaethje’s finish have in UFC history?

Gaethje became the first fighter to win a UFC title via guillotine choke since Conor McGregor in 2016, adding a rare technical footnote to his championship victory.

Gaethje: Losses to Khabib, Oliveira, Holloway never ended title hopes

Justin Gaethje’s UFC lightweight title redemption arc began long before UFC Freedom 250, fueled by defiance of past setbacks and a refusal to accept defeat.

ByKostadin Stamboliev1 sourcePublished 3 Jul, 10:11

Gaethje: Losses to Khabib, Oliveira, Holloway never ended title hopes

Justin Gaethje never surrendered his UFC lightweight title ambitions despite three of the division’s most dominant champions—Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway—according to his pre-fight remarks ahead of UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje, a former interim champion, entered the Octagon in Ottawa on May 4, 2025, as a 2:5 underdog against Ilia Topuria, a fighter riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak. The fight ended in the first round when Gaethje dropped Topuria with a right hand before finishing him with a guillotine choke at 2:22 of the opening frame, ending the Georgian’s 15-fight UFC win streak and claiming the vacant lightweight strap.

Why this matters

Frequently asked

Source

More on Charles LECLERC

Leclerc: "I'm working a lot, I have to adapt to new things"

Norris: "The energy of the fans is fabulous, but it's not enough"

Hamilton: Ferrari in crisis on the straights

Hamilton: "The supporters of Silverstone push us to give the most"

Editor's picks

Makhachev vs. Garry headlines stacked UFC card in Philadelphia

The Elite 8: McGregor's Iconic UFC Walkouts

UFC 2026 Half-Year Awards: The Fights That Stole the Show

O’Malley pushes for Yan rematch after bantamweight dominance talk

Up next

Buehler Dominates Former Team as Padres Rout Dodgers 7-1

Diamondbacks Dominate Giants 12-2 in MLB Showdown

Anfernee Simons lands two-year, $12.3M deal with Sixers

Rushing Powers Dodgers Past Slumping Padres 12-7

Paige Bueckers’ 11-point fourth-quarter blitz lifts Wings past Sun

Dodgers crush A's with Betts-Freeman show in lopsided win

More from UFC

UFC 2026: Heavyweight dominates, light heavyweight sinks mid-year

Lopes’ lightweight pivot could shake up UFC divisions

Gaethje’s long climb to UFC gold: setbacks, self-belief, and Topuria’s fall

UFC 330 welterweight, lightweight bouts sharpen Philly card

More news

UFC 2026 Half-Year Awards: The Fights That Stole the Show

Jones to Chimaev: Wrestling Defense Still Decides Title Fights

O’Malley pushes for Yan rematch after bantamweight dominance talk

Inside ASAP Fight Promotions and the amateur grind shaping MMA’s next generation

More about MMA

Gamrot-Salkilld lightweight war headlines UFC Vegas 120

Nurmagomedov-Song headline UFC’s China return in Shanghai

Tim Sylvia Drops 125 Pounds, Targets UFC Limit

Costa steps in on 10 days’ notice to face Durden at UFC 329

More on Charles LECLERC

Leclerc: "I'm working a lot, I have to adapt to new things"

Norris: "The energy of the fans is fabulous, but it's not enough"

Hamilton: Ferrari in crisis on the straights

Hamilton: "The supporters of Silverstone push us to give the most"

Editor's picks

Makhachev vs. Garry headlines stacked UFC card in Philadelphia

The Elite 8: McGregor's Iconic UFC Walkouts

UFC 2026 Half-Year Awards: The Fights That Stole the Show

O’Malley pushes for Yan rematch after bantamweight dominance talk

More from UFC

UFC 2026: Heavyweight dominates, light heavyweight sinks mid-year

Lopes’ lightweight pivot could shake up UFC divisions

Gaethje’s long climb to UFC gold: setbacks, self-belief, and Topuria’s fall

UFC 330 welterweight, lightweight bouts sharpen Philly card

More news

UFC 2026 Half-Year Awards: The Fights That Stole the Show

Jones to Chimaev: Wrestling Defense Still Decides Title Fights

O’Malley pushes for Yan rematch after bantamweight dominance talk

Inside ASAP Fight Promotions and the amateur grind shaping MMA’s next generation

More about MMA

Gamrot-Salkilld lightweight war headlines UFC Vegas 120

Nurmagomedov-Song headline UFC’s China return in Shanghai

Tim Sylvia Drops 125 Pounds, Targets UFC Limit

Costa steps in on 10 days’ notice to face Durden at UFC 329

Up next

Buehler Dominates Former Team as Padres Rout Dodgers 7-1

Diamondbacks Dominate Giants 12-2 in MLB Showdown

Anfernee Simons lands two-year, $12.3M deal with Sixers

Rushing Powers Dodgers Past Slumping Padres 12-7

Paige Bueckers’ 11-point fourth-quarter blitz lifts Wings past Sun

Dodgers crush A's with Betts-Freeman show in lopsided win