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Gaethje Upsets Topuria to Claim Unified UFC Lightweight Title

Disputed eye‑poke claims, compounded by Topuria's severe facial injuries, heighten rematch pressure for the UFC.

Overview

  • Justin Gaethje won by fourth‑round TKO when Ilia Topuria's corner stopped their fight at the White House UFC card, handing Topuria his first professional loss.
  • Topuria suffered extensive facial trauma after the bout, including orbital fractures, a broken nose and heavy swelling that visibly impaired his vision and prompted a lengthy medical suspension.
  • Topuria's teammate Merab Dvalishvili has publicly alleged Gaethje poked Topuria in the eye early in the fight and said Topuria was 'fighting blind' thereafter.
  • Referee Marc Goddard did not call a foul during the fight and no athletic commission has overturned the result or issued sanctions, so Gaethje's victory remains official.
  • Both fighters are expected to miss months while they recover, Gaethje has downplayed an immediate rematch, and the UFC faces uncertainty in setting the next title matchup.