UFC chief Dana White sensationally revealed one of the biggest cards in the company’s history over the weekend as Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will face off against each other at the White House in Washington, DC this summer. The pair will do battle at President Donald Trump’s residence as the South Lawn welcomes a six-fight battle with the lightweight unification bout at the top of the bill.
The headlines for White have been plentiful this week following the news that negotiations with Jon Jones had broken down over a reported disagreement over the fighter’s fee. The Rochester fighter then chose to remain retired following a statement released via X, where he even asked to be released from his contract.
The UFC boss, taking his place on the front row for the Meta Apex event on Sunday, caused further headlines when an interview with content creator Nina Drama took a bizarre turn.
Dana White’s Interaction With Nina Drama
Drama, who currently has four million followers on Instagram, is a regular at UFC events. The former Playboy ‘Playmate of the Year’ sat down with White for a conversation that turned to a rather different subject than MMA. Nina asked White if he wore flip-flops, a question that seemed to surprise the UFC CEO.
Further shock was set to head White’s way as Drama revealed that her Kick chat involved those with a love for all things feet. Intrigued by this revelation, White requested a closer look at a photo of Nina’s feet, which are rated five out of five on WikiFeet.
This action prompted mockery from UFC fans online, with one user on X blasting White’s actions: “Bruh… really? Rating someone’s feet like it’s a sport? That’s next-level cringe.”
White appeared to agree with the rating given to Drama’s photo by surmising: “Those are pretty good feet… I’ll give it to you, that’s a golden winner. I’m not like a foot guy, but they’re great feet. I would agree with the rating on Nina’s feet.”
Who is Nina Drama?
The content creator is widely renowned for her alternative style when it comes to conducting interviews.
Drama’s style has previously caused her to be labelled ‘cringe’ by social media users. In 2024, after being insulted, White leaped to Nina’s defence by stating in the comments: “She’s better than 100% of the media. Let’s get YOU outta here.” Drama is also set to play a key role at the White House event.
While the head of the UFC was impressed by what he saw, many others took to social media to criticise White’s actions. The anticipation of the major event in Washington, D.C. led one user on X to add: “He should focus more on building a White House card that isn’t complete a**.”
The event will see over 5,000 fans pack into the South Lawn with over 1,000 members of the United States Military set to attend. The significance of the event, named ‘UFC Freedom 250’, will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Kylian Mbappe is lighting up the 2026 World Cup as he looks to fire France to their second success in world football’s biggest competition since 2018.
The Real Madrid forward is firmly in the Golden Boot race against the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior, having found the net four times in the group stages. Mbappe was crucial to his nation lifting the trophy in 2018, bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
He then had an incredible tournament four years later in Qatar. Despite his side having to settle for second place, the 27-year-old fired in a hat-trick in the final, something only Sir Geoff Hurst has previously managed.
Kylian Mbappe Wearing Different Shirt to France Teammates
Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
That treble in the final against Argentina helped Mbappe to the Golden Boot in the 2022 World Cup. The versatile forward netted eight times in total, and was undeserving of being on the losing side.
He tends to step up on the big stage when his country needs him. Some eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a difference in the shirt Mbappe is wearing this summer compared to the rest of Didier Deschamps’ men.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are all expected to finish among the top goalscorers in this summer’s tournament.
The reason for that is his Golden Boot victory in 2022. Any active player who has won the individual award at the World Cup is allowed to wear a special patch on the sleeve of their shirt.
England’s Harry Kane and Colombia’s James Rodriguez are the only other players at the tournament this summer allowed to wear the patch, after winning the 2018 and 2014 Golden Boots, respectively.
The award has never been won back-to-back in the competition’s history. But with France being among the strong favourites and expected to go far, there’s every chance their talisman can scoop the honour once again. After all, he’s only four goals away from being the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
Mbappe: Lionel Messi Still the Best
Reuters/Maria Lysaker
While Mbappe is hunting his old Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi down in the current Golden Boot race and the all-time scoring charts, he still concedes he has a lot to do to overtake the Argentine.
It was no surprise to Les Bleus’ number nine that Messi has continued to deliver on the big stage. He said (per ESPN): “I already knew Messi was going to keep scoring goals. He always does. He’s ahead of me and I’m behind him. I’ll keep scoring to help my national team go as far as possible.”
Following the greatest footballer of all time smashed a hat-trick against Algeria, Mbappe declared him still the best in the world. He claimed:
“It’s clear that Messi is the best in the world, and so is Cristiano [Ronaldo]. For 16 years, he [Messi] has shown his extraordinary talent. I’m just trying to do what I know how to do: show my talent on the biggest stage possible and help my national team.”
Newcastle United have lined up a deal to sign a midfielder this summer, as the Magpies face the possibility of losing some key players in the coming weeks.
A deal for the former seems the most likely, meaning Newcastle are on the market for replacements, and one target is now seemingly in the club’s sights.
Newcastle Add Felix Nmecha To Shortlist
According to a report from journalist Craig Hope, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is on Newcastle’s shortlist as a transfer target for this summer.
The Magpies are described as “long-term admirers” of the 25-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga as well as in the World Cup with Germany in recent weeks.
Nmecha has a release clause in his deal worth £73.5 million, though that doesn’t come into effect until next summer. That said, the report claims that there is hope a move can be negotiated for lower than that price.
There is likely to be some competition for Nmecha’s signature, as Manchester United have been linked with a transfer, along with fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get an agreement with both Dortmund and the Germany international over a potential transfer in the coming weeks as a result.
Newcastle are facing a tough summer transfer window, with Anthony Gordon’s exit set to be just the first of a few key moves away from the club.
Given the struggles in the Premier League last season, the Magpies will be keen to not be in a weaker position next campaign when it comes to the options available.
However, it may be the sales that help ensure that is the case. Selling some important players in favour of huge transfer fees could allow it to be reinvested in a way that will add a better balance of quality across the whole squad.
Newcastle United are in the market for a striker, as one star looks set to leave the club this summer.
That, in theory, should allow the team to become stronger. But that will only happen if the right transfer replacements are found for the right price.
That was the theory in practice last summer, with Alexander Isak’s sale generating a club-record fee, but resulting in the wrong options being signed to take his place.
Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of that, especially in the midfield engine room, which has been among the key areas of strength under Howe.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
