This is the UFC White House live blog for Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, the lightweight championship unification main event Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Topuria (17-0) is yet to be defeated and already has a pair of UFC titles to his name won at 155 and 145 pounds, two of the deepest divisions in MMA. His incredible achievements have him at No. 2 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, behind only former lightweight champion and current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

It’s been a bumpy road for Topuria since winning the lightweight belt in June 2025 as he unsuccessfully pursued a superfight with Makhachev and then had to take time off to deal with personal matters. However, he’s a heavy favorite heading into Sunday’s main event and for good reason. “El Matador” has already knocked out a number of legends in the cage, including Charles Oliveira and featherweight greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. A win over Gaethje could propel Topuria to his long-awaited grudge match with Makhachev.

Gaethje (27-5) is determined to foil those plans as he heads into what could be his last chance to become undisputed UFC champion. Already the only fighter to win two interim UFC titles, Gaethje has previously twice fought for the chance to be the No. 1 name at 155 pounds, but was denied by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. “The Highlight” clawed his way back to a unification bout with consecutive wins over Paddy Pimblett and Rafael Fiziev, and could cap off one of the most memorable careers in MMA history if he defies the odds and hands Topuria his first loss.

Check out the UFC White House live blog for Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje below.

Ok, this is the moment of truth. Topuria tries to unify the lightweight titles in what could end up being his final fight at 155 pounds, and he does it against an American on the White House lawn.

Gaethje makes the walk — from the Oval Office! — for what he called his last shot at winning the undisputed lightweight championship. He’s a two-time interim titleholder but failed to unify it last time against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Topuria on his way to the octagon now. The band playing his walkout song is doing a fantastic job, by the way.

They meet in the center of the cage for Marc Goddard’s final instructions, and they touch gloves.

Gaethje with jabs early, and a leg kick. Topuria with a calf kick. Gaethje fires back with an uppercut and head kick. Gaethje connects a right and Topuria fires back with a right hand! Topuria with two right hands, but Gaethje responds! Topuria lands another right hand! Gaethje lands an uppercut. Two minutes have gone by so Topuria’s two-minute prediction is gone. But he’s still hurting Gaethje with right hands! They jab each other at the same time, and Topuria continues to march forward. Topuria’s right eye is covered in blood. Gaethje’s jabs continue to land. Gaethje combos an uppercut and right hand. Another right hand! And head kick! Topuria fires back, though, and they brawl in the middle of the cage. WOW! Gaethje with a right hand, and it’s a bar fight! Topuria works the body now and Gaethje is hurt. Again! WOW! Incredible first round! MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Topuria.

Topuria’s face as round two starts clearly shows he’s been in a wild fight, man. And Gaethje starts with a right hand over the top. They trade violently again! What a fight! Topuria’s jab forces Gaethje to take a step back now, but it’s only for a second. Gaethje’s jab finding the target, too. Gaethje threatens with a flying knee but the attack that connects is a right hand. Topuria fires back and has him in trouble against the cage. Two more to the body. and another one! Again! Topuria with the uppercut now. Gaethje is in trouble! Topuria destroying Gaethje with body shots, and Gaethje goes down! Topuria has the mount now, and Gaethje turns his back. Topuria goes for the armbar but Gaethje defends. Triangle choke! Armbar! Topuria really going for the submission now but Gaethje defends again! Topuria again has the mount, and Gaethje has to survive for 40 seconds. They both take the minute out to recover after a wild fight so far. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Topuria (20-18 Topuria).

This is the first fight to last longer than 10 minutes tonight.

Both fighters slow down as round three starts. Topuria snaps Gaethje’s head back with a jab, and Gaethje responds with a right hand. Gaethje with jabs now, over and over again. Topuria’s right eye is a mess right now. And Gaethje hurts Topuria with a right hand!!!! WOW! Topuria is in trouble! Crowd goes nuts on the White House lawn! Topuria is back to his feet but at what cost? Head kick for Gaethje! Gaethje with a one-two combo that lands nicely to Topuria’s head. Uppercut for Gaethje! Topuria with a nice right hand! And Gaethje hurts him with a right hand as well! Flying knee for Gaethje! WHAT A FIGHT! Another head kick for Gaethje, and time runs out. Wow! MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Gaethje (29-28 Topuria).

Topuria tells his cornermen he can’t see out of his right eye! The doctor is in the octagon to check his eye. He indicates he will end the fight, but Topuria is mad! The doctor is brought back to check his eye again, and they somehow convinces the doctor to go away and the fight continues. WOW!

Fight continues… this is incredible.

Right hand for Gaethje! And he throws Topuria down, and knees in the clinch. Topuria with the body shots now! Topuria’s face is a mess. Gaethje’s uppercut lands again. Jumping knee for Gaethje! Topuria just won’t give up, man. Topuria has the mount! But Gaethje is back up almost immediately and they are trading bombs again. Topuria with another takedown but this time Gaethje sprawls. Not enough time to get the finish but enough to land a knee to the body and again hurt Topuria. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Gaethje (38-38 draw).

WOW! WHAT? THE FIGHT IS OVER! Topuria can’t see, and it appears that his team has called it.

Justin Gaethje can finally call himself the undisputed UFC lightweight champion!

Justin Gaethje def. Ilia Topuria via fourth-round TKO (corner stoppage) (5:00)

Gaethje stands in the middle of the octagon with two UFC belts over his shoulder after an “absolute legendary” victory.

“I’m made for this,” Gaethje said.

The new undisputed champion said he has promised his mother he wouldn’t make a decision tonight about whether or not he would retire from the sport, so it remains to be seen he Gaethje will walk away after this incredible win or go back and defend his throne.

President Trump and the First Lady enter the octagon to congratulate Gaethje after his post-fight interview.