Dana White loses UFC video game match as Topuria gets knocked out

UFC President Dana White took a rare L on April 9 when he sat down for a video game session with content creator Adin Ross and came out on the losing end — with his chosen fighter paying the price in digital fashion.

White picked Ilia Topuria for the matchup while Ross selected Arman Tsarukyan. By the end of the session, Topuria's character had been knocked out, prompting White to apologize for the result in what became a widely shared moment across social media.

Topuria, ranked number two at lightweight and sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old, carries a 17-1-0 professional record and represents Spain out of Climent Club. The five-foot-seven orthodox fighter lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.

His virtual opponent, Tsarukyan, is ranked number one in the lightweight division with a 23-3-0 record. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and brings a striking accuracy of 50 percent along with an elite grappling rate of 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. His 72-inch reach also gives him a three-inch advantage over Topuria in the real world — and apparently in the game as well.

Why it matters

• The UFC's top two lightweight contenders were featured front and center in a high-traffic streaming moment
• Engagement with creators like Ross puts the UFC brand in front of younger and gaming-focused audiences
• The lighthearted clip keeps the Topuria-Tsarukyan rivalry — and the lightweight division — in the public conversation