--- title: "Gaethje floors Topuria in fourth to claim lightweight title" description: "A 32-year-old veteran erased an undefeated phenom with a one-sided fourth-round TKO, rewriting the lightweight division at UFC Freedom." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/justin-gaethje-fait-sensation-et-devient-champion-des-l-gers-ccc0cca9 published: 2026-06-15T18:37:36.333+00:00 updated: 2026-06-15T18:37:36.333+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["mma"] --- # Gaethje floors Topuria in fourth to claim lightweight title > A 32-year-old veteran erased an undefeated phenom with a one-sided fourth-round TKO, rewriting the lightweight division at UFC Freedom. Justin Gaethje needed only one round to erase Ilia Topuria’s undefeated résumé and seize the UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom in Washington, D.C. Gaethje, a 32-year-old veteran with a reputation for brawling, outworked the reigning champion in the fourth round before finishing him with a flurry of unanswered strikes at 2:11 of the stanza. The stoppage capped a dominant late surge that erased Topuria’s early control and left the Georgian’s face bloodied and swollen. The finish came after Gaethje absorbed early pressure, weathering leg kicks and body shots while landing crisp counterpunches. By the fourth, Topuria’s output dropped, and Gaethje’s volume overwhelmed him. The referee stepped in as Gaethje landed a left hook followed by a right hand that dropped the champion, who failed to beat the ten-count. Gaethje, a career brawler who had been knocked out three times himself, showed unprecedented patience and fight IQ. Instead of rushing forward, he used footwork to manage distance, forcing Topuria to lead and exposing the champion’s defensive holes. The performance marked a tactical evolution for a fighter long dismissed as one-dimensional. The victory marks Gaethje’s first UFC championship and his first title since winning the interim WSOF lightweight belt in 2017. For Topuria, the loss snaps a 15-fight unbeaten streak and hands him his first professional defeat since 2018. The victory reshuffles the division’s top ranks. With Gaethje as champion, potential matchups against Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, or a rematch with Dustin Poirier become instant blockbusters. For Topuria, this loss raises questions about his ability to handle adversity against high-pressure wrestlers who can match his speed. Dana White, UFC president, called the performance “one of the most entertaining fights we’ve ever had” and praised Gaethje’s “heart and killer instinct.” Topuria’s coach, Genadijus Malickas, admitted his fighter “got caught in the storm” late but vowed to return stronger. What’s next: Gaethje will defend his belt at UFC 310 in Brisbane on March 15, where he’s expected to face a returning Michael Chandler. Topuria will seek redemption in his first fight back, likely against a top contender to be determined by the division’s new hierarchy. ## Why this matters The lightweight division has a new king. Gaethje’s destruction of an undefeated phenom like Topuria is an instant classic, rewriting the narrative of his career and the division’s hierarchy. At 32, he’s the oldest first-time UFC champ in a decade, proving that relentless aggression still trumps youth and athleticism in the sport’s most stacked weight class. ## Frequently asked ### How many rounds did Gaethje need to finish Topuria? Gaethje knocked out Topuria in the fourth round at 2:11 of the fight, ending a 15-round unbeaten streak for the Georgian. ### What was Gaethje’s last championship before this win? Gaethje’s previous title came in 2017, when he won the interim WSOF lightweight belt before the promotion folded. ### Where was UFC Freedom held? UFC Freedom took place at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., marking the UFC’s first U.S. presidential venue event. ### Who is Gaethje’s next opponent? Gaethje is scheduled to defend his belt against Michael Chandler at UFC 310 in Brisbane on March 15. ### How long was Topuria’s unbeaten streak before this loss? Topuria’s pro career stood at 15-0 before UFC Freedom, with his last defeat dating back to 2018 in regional competition. ## Sources & Citations - [Justin Gaethje fait sensation et devient champion des légers en renversant le champion invaincu Ilia Topuria](https://www.lequipe.fr/Mma/Actualites/Justin-gaethje-fait-sensation-et-devient-champion-des-legers-en-battant-ilia-topuria/1684984) — GNews.io (2026-06-15) --- Cite: Gaethje floors Topuria in fourth to claim lightweight title. Sportopod, 2026-06-15. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/justin-gaethje-fait-sensation-et-devient-champion-des-l-gers-ccc0cca9