On To the Next One: What’s next for Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira after UFC White House title losses?

Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history at the White House event in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, dethroning undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a stunning performance. The loss marked a dramatic shift in the lightweight landscape, leaving Topuria to regroup after his dominant reign came to an unexpected end.

The White House card delivered multiple title implications beyond Gaethje's headline triumph. Interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane cemented his status as a top contender with what many consider his most impressive performance to date, while former middleweight titleholder Alex Pereira suffered a stoppage loss that raises questions about his championship prospects going forward.

On the latest edition of MMA Fighting's "On To the Next One" podcast, hosts Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee break down the fallout from the historic event. The discussion covers where Gaethje and the newly crowned Gane go next in their respective title trajectories, as well as what comes after for Topuria and Pereira following their defeats.

The podcast also examines potential next opponents for several other standout performers from the card. Sean O'Malley's knockout victory over Aiemann Zahabi, Josh Hokit's win over Derrick Lewis, and triumphs by Mauricio Ruffy, Bo Nickal, and Diego Lopes all receive analysis for future matchmaking implications. The hosts conclude by weighing listener suggestions for upcoming fights. The full episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and other major podcast platforms.