Topuria defends lightweight title against two-time interim champ Gaethje at historic White House event

Ilia Topuria makes his first lightweight title defence against Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House on Sunday, June 14, in what the promotion is billing as a one-of-a-kind historic event.

Topuria won the lightweight belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 — his second divisional title after previously reigning as featherweight champion. He now faces Gaethje, who earned his shot with a dominant decision victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January, a result that made him a two-time interim lightweight champion.

The UFC has released a Countdown video tracing how the White House event came together and building the narrative around the Topuria–Gaethje main event, as well as the rest of the card.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira steps up to heavyweight to challenge Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. A victory would give Pereira a third divisional belt, a feat that would place him among the most decorated champions in UFC history.

The full card shapes up as one of the more ambitious events the UFC has staged, combining a genuine undisputed title fight at lightweight with a historic title-chase at heavyweight — all set against the backdrop of a venue that has never previously hosted a UFC event.