Overview
- Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by corner stoppage to win the undisputed UFC lightweight title in the main event on Sunday, June 14 at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn.
- Arman Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani on June 15 that he and associates won about $5.7 million betting on Gaethje and said he plans to buy Gaethje a new Ram truck as a gift.
- Tsarukyan defended the corner’s decision to stop the fight, said Topuria effectively ‘quit’ because he could not see, and urged the UFC to make him the next challenger.
- Topuria issued a post-fight statement congratulating Gaethje, reported damage to his eyes, and called for a rematch while Gaethje collected reported post-fight bonuses and considers his next move.
- Tsarukyan’s status as the official backup and his public betting and lobbying now complicate the lightweight pecking order, with reported financial figures not independently verified and matchmaking decisions expected next.