Why Topuria could spoil UFC's White House party

Ilia Topuria with Dana White at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington DC

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Ilia Topuria has finished 15 of his 17 fights

ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport Journalist

Published44 minutes ago

While US President Donald Trump and the UFC prepare for a grand celebration of America on Sunday, one man is perfectly placed to spoil the party.

In an unprecedented event at the White House to celebrate 250 years of American independence, it is Ilia Topuria - a Spaniard who was born in Germany to Georgian parents - who could have the last word.

In the main event in Washington DC, Topuria defends his lightweight belt against American interim champion Justin Gaethje.

Undefeated in the first 17 fights of his career and regarded as one of the most devastating finishers on the UFC roster, Topuria is heavily tipped to beat home favourite Gaethje and pour cold water on American celebrations.

A former featherweight champion, the 29-year-old could become the first fighter in UFC history to defend titles in two divisions while remaining undefeated.

"It's very emotional and exciting to be a part of all this. There's something I've always said, 'if you know where you're from and you know where you're going, you're going to be able to accomplish great things'," said Topuria.

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Named UFC Freedom 250, Trump has predicted the show on the White House South Lawn to be "one of the highest-rated events ever in sports", while the UFC has spent around $60m (£44.3m) on the project.

The White House has hosted recreational sports and events before but the spectacle will mark the first professional live sporting event to take place on the grounds.

For an event so unique, the UFC was expected to announce a special card, and although Trump's early prediction of there being "eight or nine title fights" did not come to fruition, it speaks volumes Topuria has been chosen as the headlining act.

Wearing a suit when many fighters don casual wear, Topuria oozes the class and confidence of a champion as he speaks to the media.

Answering questions in English and Spanish, Topuria smiles to himself with pride as he reminisces on the journey he's taken to reach this position.

"With all the accomplishments I've had, being in this event and headlining having started all this with my brother, my family and my entire team, is the fruit of hard work and makes me even happier and more grateful," said Topuria.

Aged seven, Topuria moved from Germany to Georgia with his parents before relocating to Spain around the age of 15 following the country's 2008 conflict with Russia.

It was there that Topuria's MMA journey started when his father granted him and his brother Aleksandre, who is also a UFC fighter, permission to leave school and train full-time.

Since then, Topuria has never looked back.

In 2024, he dethroned Alexander Volkanovski - widely-regarded as one of the best featherweights of all time - to become the first Georgian champion in UFC history.

The victory led to him being celebrated in his homeland and Spain, where he appeared on the front page of Spanish publication Marca - a rare feat for an MMA fighter in a country where football dominates the sporting agenda.

Topuria then met Spain's president Pedro Sanchez, who granted him Spanish citizenship for his achievements, before being paraded in front of 75,000 fans at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium.

In becoming the first Spanish champion in UFC history, Topuria is largely responsible for the growth of MMA in the country, with the UFC long-planning to host its first event there.

Victory at the White House would provide an unparalleled platform to highlight Topuria's story at a time when immigration remains one of the most contentious issues of Trump's presidency.

Earlier this month, the US Senate approved more than $70bn (£52bn) in funding for Trump's immigration agencies, which have enforced his crackdown on newcomers to the country since his second presidential term began last January.

Topuria is expecting Trump to be supporting Gaethje at the White House, confidently jesting with the president last month when he asked him why he gave the "toughest test" on the card to his "friend".

Although the event, which also coincides with Trump's 80th birthday, is a celebration of America, Topuria is manifesting a winning moment for the world.

"This is what we've done together, it makes it even more rewarding," said Topuria.

"And everything we've done is going to culminate on 14 June. This will be a celebration for everyone."