US star Gaethje wins at Trump's UFC White House show

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Gaethje was congratulated by President Trump after the event By Paul Battison BBC Sport Journalist Published 18 minutes ago Justin Gaethje provided the perfect ending for American fans at the White House as he shocked Ilia Topuria to win the UFC undisputed lightweight title. American Gaethje, 37, shrugged off his underdog tag as he stopped Topuria at the end of the fourth round to become undisputed champion for the first time. Gaethje hurt Topuria multiple times in a brutal contest as the Georgian-Spaniard retired on his stool before the fifth round for the first defeat of his 18-fight career. The one-of-a-kind show, billed as UFC Freedom 250, took place on US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday as part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence. After securing victory, which UFC commentator Joe Rogan called "one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport", Gaethje did his signature backflip from the top of the cage before shaking hands with Trump. In a rousing post-fight interview, Gaethje compared his underdog status to Americans who once fought for their country's independence. "I'm from America, 250 years ago we were way bigger than 6-1 dogs, and look at us thriving now," said Gaethje. "To all the current, former and future military service members, thank you so much." In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane ended Alex Pereira's hopes of becoming the UFC's first three-division champion with a second-round stoppage in their interim heavyweight title fight. Eric Trump says 'rigged' UFC fight messages were AI fakes Published 44 minutes ago Trump hosts UFC cage fight on the White House lawn Published 1 hour ago Fury teases Joshua fight at UFC White House alongside White Published 1 hour ago Gaethje wins long-awaited title Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The event was held to celebrate 250 years of American independence The White House has hosted recreational sports and events before, but the event on the South Lawn marked the first professional live sporting show to take place on the grounds. There were worries in the build-up that thunderstorms in Washington DC could cause delays, and although rain postponed the start of the event by around half an hour, it ran smoothly from there. The show opened with President Trump and beaming UFC president Dana White walking through the White House to the Truman Balcony overlooking the octagon, before a rendition of the national anthem took place while US Air Force jets cruised overhead. About 4,300 people watched the event on the South Lawn, most of whom were members of the US military, who chanted "USA" in support of the American fighters on the card. Trump watched the event octagon-side alongside White, while the United States Marine Band serenaded fighters during their walkouts, which started from inside the White House. Gaethje started his walkout in the Oval Office, where he took a moment to soak in the occasion, before walking past