Gaethje stuns Topuria to claim lightweight title and $825,000 in bonuses at UFC White House

Justin Gaethje is the new UFC lightweight champion after stopping Ilia Topuria in the fourth round at UFC White House on Sunday, a result that also earned him $825,000 in post-fight bonuses — the richest single-night payout of the event.

Gaethje collected a $425,000 “Performance of the Night” award for the stoppage, then shared “Fight of the Night” honours with Topuria, adding another $400,000 to his haul. UFC CEO Dana White had announced the elevated bonus structure ahead of the event.

The fight was far from straightforward. In the second round, Topuria landed multiple damaging body shots and later threatened with ground-and-pound and submission attempts from full mount. Gaethje absorbed the punishment and gradually wrestled back control, battering Topuria so severely in the fourth that his corner waved off the contest before the bell.

In the co-headliner, Ciryl Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title with a statement performance of his own, stopping Alex Pereira 1:27 into the second round to earn the evening’s other $425,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus. After a measured but effective opening round, the Frenchman rocked “Poatan” with a sharp combination of punches to earn the TKO finish and the interim gold.