Justin Gaethje delivered the moment of the year with a stunning upset of Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC White House to capture the undisputed lightweight title.
“The Highlight” checked off the final box needed to cement his incredible career on a memorable June night on the South Lawn, surviving a scare in the second round before putting a face-altering beating on Topuria for the final two rounds to pull off what many believed was impossible.
On Friday, the UFC dropped a different, behind-the-scenes version of the fight with no commentary, and extra corner cam footage between rounds and during the pivotal moments of the fight. Check it out in the video above.
One of the most wild moments of the encounter took place after Gaethje really put in on Topuria in the third round. The former two-division champion tells his corner — including his brother Alexandre — that he could “barely see anything,” which led to the doctor coming in. The doctor went to wave off the fight, but referee Mark Goddard gave Topuria a chance to go back out there.
“I’m happy to let this go,” Goddard told Topuria and the doctor. “I want to let it go. Ilia, put yourself back into the fight, OK?”
Since the career-defining victory, Gaethje hasn’t decided if he’ll return for a title defense or ride off into the sunset. Should he return, Gaethje would likely defend against No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan in a massive lightweight championship duel.
Topuria has just begun training again as he’s on the road to a return to action — which likely won’t take place until 2027.
