Known as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC today, Ilia Topuria has built a reputation as a finisher and a star with a perfect 17-0 professional record. Nicknamed "El Matador", the Spanish-Georgian phenom became the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes while remaining undefeated, capturing the featherweight belt at UFC 298 and the lightweight title at UFC 317.
Ilia Topuria suffered the first defeat of his professional MMA career at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday 14 June 2026, losing his undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship to Justin Gaethje via fourth-round TKO. The historic event, staged on the South Lawn of the White House as the first-ever combat sports event held on the grounds of the executive residence, ended Topuria's perfect record at 16-1 and rewrote the narrative around the Spanish-Georgian's title reign.
Topuria had entered the contest as the heavy favourite, looking to make a maiden defence of the belt he claimed by knocking out Charles Oliveira inside the opening round at UFC 317 in June 2025. El Matador had been viewed as one of the most dominant champions in the sport, having previously dethroned Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight and finished Max Holloway with a brutal third-round knockout in October 2024. Gaethje had other ideas at the White House, weathering early Topuria pressure before landing the cleaner strikes through rounds two and three, eventually overwhelming the champion in the fourth.
Justin Gaethje becomes the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion with the win, moving his record to 28-5 with 21 KOs and ending one of the most-talked-about streaks in modern UFC history. Topuria received a 180-day medical suspension following the loss, with an early 2027 return targeted as he weighs up his options. A potential rematch with Gaethje, a drop back to featherweight, or a marquee bout against a returning Conor McGregor are all among the storylines now in play.
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For the full UFC Freedom 250 results, post-fight analysis and the latest odds on Topuria's next move, visit our dedicated UFC Freedom 250 page.
Ilia Topuria most recently won by first-round knockout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025, claiming the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Here's a look at the results from his 10 most recent fights:
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