{"id":164,"date":"2026-07-05T13:32:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T13:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/?p=164"},"modified":"2026-07-05T13:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T13:32:10","slug":"justin-gaethje-donald-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/2026\/07\/05\/justin-gaethje-donald-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Gaethje Honored by Donald Trump During White House Visit 3 Weeks After UFC Freedom 250 Triumph\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Justin Gaethje stunned the MMA world by stopping Ilia Topuria at <\/span>UFC Freedom 250<\/span><\/a> to become the undisputed lightweight champion. Even more remarkably, he accomplished the feat at the White House while entering the fight as a 6-to-1 underdog, with the President of the United States in attendance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At a moment that carried symbolic weight for the event, Gaethje delivered a performance that few believed was possible. Most analysts expected Topuria to cruise past Gaethje, <\/span>much like he had against stars<\/span><\/a> like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. Instead, on June 14, Gaethje produced one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering the path it took for Gaethje to finally capture undisputed UFC gold, including two interim lightweight titles and a BMF championship over a nine-year span, the victory served as the defining achievement of his career, a moment Jon Anik described as a true career capstone. Less than a month later, Gaethje returned to the very place where he recorded the biggest win of his life, visiting the White House to meet President Donald Trump.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Donald
Donald Trump at UFC Freedom 250 (via Imagn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gaethje was invited back to the White House along with his parents, where they were welcomed by Trump and members of his administration. Trump later shared the visit on social media, congratulating Gaethje on his memorable upset over Topuria and celebrating the historic main event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking to social media, Trump wrote, <\/span>\u201cJustin Gaethje came to the Oval Office to celebrate, with his parents, his great victory two weeks ago. It was one of the highest rated fights in the history of television, and what a fight it was. Honor to see the champ. He beat another truly great fighter who had never lost before.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udea8 Justin Gaethje visited President Trump at the Oval Office today after his win at the White House two weeks ago<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was one of the highest rated fights in the history of television, and what a fight it was.<\/p>\n

Honor to see the champ. He beat another truly great fighter who had\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/CHvUlrhOTW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n