Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria face off ahead of UFC White House event

Ilia Topuria reacts to his shocking title loss to Justin Gaethje at Sunday's UFC White House.

Reacting to Justin Gaethje’s epic win over Ilia Topuria, and the rest of UFC White House

Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria to cap off a memorable UFC White House event

Ilia Topuria, mixed martial artist, and Justin Gaethje, mixed martial artist, are separated by Dana White, president of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), during the ceremonial weigh-ins for the UFC Freedom250 fight on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. President Donald Trump's Ultimate Fighting Championship event will go on as planned on the White House grounds after a federal judge rejected an eleventh-hour bid to stop it. Photographer: Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Bloomberg via Getty Images UFC White House is finally here! In a few short hours, weather permitting, cage fights will go down on the South White House lawn, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. While the White House is the true star of the show, the card is topped off by two title fights, a lightweight unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and an interim heavyweight bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. But which of those men will leave Washington, D.C. as champion? Let’s discuss. Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje Topuria Topuria is, at worst, the second-best fighter in the world today, and is currently in the middle of a generational run, knocking out future Hall of Famers Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in consecutive fights. He’s looking to add Gaethje to that list, and he is strongly expected to do so, given the strengths of his game. Though he entered MMA as a grappler, Topuria has already established himself as one of the best punchers in the sport. His striking doesn’t have many frills, but technically sound, has good footwork, and has tremendous pop in his shots, which he trusts implicitly. Topuria can get out-worked on the feet, but when things start to drift away, he forces the issue with his power punches. Topuria’s easiest path forward would be to go back to his roots and shoot early on Gaethje, who has struggled immensely when underneath talented grapplers. But Topuria hasn’t gone to that much of late, and he doesn’t necessarily need to. Topuria can also just get inside on Gaethje, and let his power take advantage of the battle-worn Gaethje. Or he can look to time a counter over the top of Gaethje’s jab and low kicks. Gaethje Gaethje is, at worst, the second-most exciting fighter to ever step into a cage. The only man to ever hold two interim UFC titles, Gaethje also has four Fights of the Year and, roughly, 67 post-fight bonuses. But despite being a future multiple-time Hall of Famer, he’s never won an undisputed UFC title, and this is almost certainly his final opportunity to do so. The problem for Gaethje is that this is an uphill battle. The strength of Gaethje’s game is his striking, which alternates between sublime and sufficient. Gaethje has some of the most effective low kicks in the sport, and his jab is among the best … when he uses it. But Gaethje often forgets to employ his best weapons, instead falling into predictable patterns and relying on his toughness and raw power to make hay. That has worked extremely well at making him the most exciting fighter in the world, but it sometimes hurts him against the best of the best. But that still might be the best plan of attack in this fight. Gaethje becomes so predictable defensively that planning a technical kickboxing fight with Topuria may end up getting him lanced. But Topuria does not have a bulletproof chin; he’s not nearly as practiced as Gaethje is in a rugged brawl. Jabbing and kicking at range is certainly valuable for Gaethje, but drawing Topuria into some classic Gaethje chaos could be his best path forward. Prediction Gaethje is not without tools in this fight, but it feels like a battle of inertia. Even if Gaethje can win exchanges with particular tactics, winning the war is still a big step. Gaethje has said he needs to be perfect to win this fight, and he has the right of it. But it’s hard to be perfect for 25 minutes, especially when you’re no longer at your peak. Prime Gaethje might give Topuria a real run, but Gaethje isn’t in his prime anymore. Ilia Topuria def. Justin Gaethje via KO — 1:45, Round 3 Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane Pereira Pereira is one of the most unique fighters we’ve ever seen. A kickboxing great, Pereira came to MMA late and has been speed-running a GOAT career, winning titles in two weight classes, and now attempting to become the first person to ever win titles in three weight classes in the UFC. At this point, everybody knows Pereira’s game: chop away with calf kicks, left hand go boom. It’s not the most intricate plan in the world, but my goodness, is it effective. And it may end up being the same here. Gane is a light-footed mover who thrives when he’s making it difficult for opponents to hit him, but if Pereira keeps chopping the legs, Gane’s movement slows, and then comes the left hook. The big question is how Pereira will look up at heavyweight? Poatan killed himself to make middleweight, but seemed to be perfectly suited to light heavyweight. Now, up another weight class, he appears to have put on some size, which could help or hurt him. He’s used to dealing with quicker fighters, but is he the same while carrying more weight? And does the power translate up? We’ll see. Gane Looking to become only the second two-time interim champion in UFC history, Gane’s career has been mercurial. When he’s allowed to engage in a pure kickboxing match, Gane has looked sensational and nigh unbeatable. But when you mix in wrestling, Gane has struggled immensely. Fortunately for the Frenchman, this fight is likely to be exclusively on the feet. As mentioned, Gane is unique at heavyweight in being a mover who doesn’t look to end fights with one punch. Instead, Gane chips away with combinations and works the body, piling up the attrition until his opponents begin to break down. Once that happens, then Gane puts the hammer down to chase the finish. And this is a really effective strategy against Pereira. Poatan is not the most fleet of foot, and he’s also not a particularly great defensive fighter, using one slip and a counter, or slip and retreat. Gane’s combinations should find purchase there and his body work could prove critical against a man carrying more weight than he’s used to, and fighting in hot, humid conditions. Prediction This is a fascinating clash of styles. Pereira is the fighter more capable of finishing the fight at any moment, which tends to be a huge advantage in a 25-minute fight, but Gane’s style a real problem for Poatan. Gane’s combinations and body work mean Pereira probably has to land a big shot to win this, and perhaps the most under-discussed aspect of this fight is Gane’s chin, which is excellent. This is a man who spent 25 minutes with Francis Ngannou, and battled through eating a monster shot from Tai Tuivasa. Even if Pereira lands clean, it may not be enough. Ciryl Gane def. Alex Pereira via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

UFC White House features two title fights

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Ilia Topuria is seen on stage during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) MMA Fighting has a live stream watch party for Sunday’s historic UFC White House event on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., and in the main event, lightweight champion Ilia Topuria defends his title for the first time against interim champ Justin Gaethje. Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and other special guests to watch along with UFC White House as the event happens. In the co-main event, former two-division champ Alex Pereira looks to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three different weight classes as he faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. UFC White House also includes a bantamweight matchup between past champ Sean O’Malley and surging contender Aiemann Zahabi, a heavyweight bout between the undefeated Josh Hokit and knockout king Derrick Lewis, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler in a lightweight contest, and 185-pound fight between Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus. UFC White House opens up with an exciting featherweight contest between Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia. Watch MMA Fighting’s UFC White House Watch Party beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT for the entire card.

Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje headline historic UFC event from White House

Get UFC White House results for the Topuria vs. Gaethje event in Washington, D.C., on Sunday night.

Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje clash in the UFC White House main event

Justin Gaethje is a heavy underdog in the UFC White House main event but that hasn’t shaken his confidence as he vowed to end Ilia Topuria’s run as champion when they clash on Sunday. Just 24 hours before the card kicks off, Topuria and Gaethje faced off one final time at the ceremonial weigh-ins but this time UFC CEO Dana White didn’t let the fighters get anywhere near each other after he was surprised by a shove from “El Matador” that capped off the pre-fight press conference on Friday. This time around there was just a tense faceoff with Gaethje then delivering his prediction for what he has called his final chance to become an undisputed UFC champion. “I was absolutely made for this shit right here,” Gaethje shouted to the crowd. “I am blessed to be in this position that I am and I will take his ‘O’ from him tomorrow night. You watch.” For his part, Topuria was much more subdued at the ceremonial weigh-ins after he was fired up during the UFC White House press conference. The reigning and defending UFC lightweight champion soaked in the moment and explained what Sunday night’s fight means to him. “Since I was a kid I always heard this little call ‘the American dream,’” Topuria said. “I never really understood the meaning of that word. But tomorrow night, we are going to live the American dream. “I’m going to get another victory. 18-0. I’m going to get that victory with fashion. See you tomorrow night. Let’s go.” In the co-main event, Alex Pereira received the biggest ovation of the night as he stared down Ciryl Gane before they meet with the interim heavyweight title going up for grabs. Pereira is seeking to become the first ever three-division champion in UFC history after already capturing gold at light heavyweight and middleweight. The spiciest faceoff on Saturday came from the heavyweights as Josh Hokit and Derrick Lewis got a little too close to comfort with security eventually pulling them apart before the situation escalated any further. Hokit put on a bizarre performance at the UFC White House press conference and that only seemed to fire up Lewis even more for the fight. Hokit is seeking to stay undefeated after his potential Fight of the Year win over Curtis Blaydes while Lewis was a late addition after President Donald Trump personally requested his presence and White booked the matchup as the seventh and final fight on the card.

Justin Gaethje promises he’s going to pull off the upset in the UFC White House main event