Ilia Topuria quit on his stool after the fourth round as Justin Gaethje was crowned UFC lightweight champion at the White House.
Topuria had been an odds-on favourite to retain his title against a man who had been a proverbial bridesmaid. But Gaethje hurt the Spaniard in the opening round, survived a punishing second session and then dominated the next two rounds, forcing the champion to quit before the final five minutes.
Gaethje began the fight by pumping out his jab, but Topuria immediately started walking him down, answering with a low kick. Gaethje found early success in the opening exchanges with a sharp uppercut but allowed the champion back into the round.
Topuria switched downstairs in the second round and winded Gaethje, dropping him before attempting first a triangle and then an armbar but the American somehow managed to escape. And he dominated the third round with an uppercut giving him the advantage before capitalising on his successes. Topuria then looked as if he would retire on his stool but forced himself up before the doctor was called in.
He was determined to wave off the contest but was convinced to allow it to continue. Topuria took advantage of the extra minute’s rest to force himself back into the fight but failed to come out for the fifth and final stanza, sparking jubilant celebrations in the opposite corner.
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