Sports

Ilia Topuria’s Close Friend Provides True Health Update

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

admin

Coming into Sunday night’s clash at the White House, Ilia Topuria, for many, was unstoppable. He had defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, all in devastating fashion, and had a professional MMA record of 17 wins and zero defeats.

However, it didn’t go his way against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, as the fight was stopped between the fourth and fifth round. It’s Topuria’s first professional defeat, and on the grandest stage of them all. The question is, how will he recover from a war like that?

The five-round bout for the coveted UFC lightweight championship went in a way few could have imagined. From the off, Gaethje was inflicting the heavier damage, even shutting Topuria’s right eye after the first round.

In the second, the Spaniard looked back to his best, reminding everyone of his quality. The flurry of body shots seemingly flipped the fight on its head, but it wasn’t enough to finish off the challenger. In the end, Topuria didn’t have the stamina to continue at this blistering pace, a factor that led to the American hero taking control.

Much has been made of the stoppage, especially with the opposing words from the cornermen and Topuria himself. The fight almost came to its climax the round prior, however, if not for Marc Goddard, who prevented the doctor’s stoppage.

After a war like this, there are always questions about whether the fighter will ever be the same again, and worries about how bad the damage actually was. Now, Pablo Motos, a close friend of Ilia Topuria, has provided an update on his current state.

Ilia Topuria Update Given By Close Friend

“This morning, I was with Ilia. He has fractures in his orbital bones in his nose. They were treating his wounds and he still couldn’t open his eyes properly.”

With the fight ending the way it did, Topuria is set for another long stint on the sidelines, this time, however, to recover. The idea of a rematch has been floated about, though, Gaethje would more than likely defend his belt before that.

What Next For Ilia Topuria

For Topuria, the long-awaited clash with Paddy Pimblett could perhaps finally come to fruition. The Englishman faces Benoit Saint-Denis during international fight week, but a win could fire him right back into contention. Pimblett, unsurprisingly, was outspoken after watching UFC Freedom 250, especially with the manner in which it ended.

“The only thing you had to do was beat a 38-year-old coming off of a five-round war with me. Instead, you quit on your stool like the little b**** you are,” he said.

The state of the lightweight division is likely to be completely different by the time Topuria eventually returns, but when he does, there will be plenty of big names looking to test themselves against the once inevitable champion.

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo is Wearing Special Shirt That Only 5 Players Can Wear

Published

16 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

admin

Cristiano Ronaldo wore a special shirt in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo, and is likely to continue to do so for the rest of this summer’s tournament.

Ronaldo, despite being 41 years old, was included in Roberto Martinez’s 26-man Portugal squad for the competition in North America.

This summer’s tournament will most likely be the last opportunity for Ronaldo to end his career as a World Cup winner.

He was named in Portugal’s starting lineup for their opening match of the tournament against DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon. However, he struggled to make an impact at Houston Stadium.

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but was unable to get on the scoresheet as Portugal stumbled to a 1-1 draw against the African outfit.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Special Shirt vs DR Congo

Ronaldo is starring at a record-equalling sixth World Cup this summer. His World Cup career began in 2006 when he helped his nation to the semi-finals. He has since featured for Portugal in 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

To commemorate his achievements, Ronaldo’s World Cup shirt features a special ‘legacy’ patch on the sleeve.

The patch, which is located just below the World Cup logo, features the Portugal flag alongside the word ‘legacy’.

Only players that have featured in five or more World Cup tournaments are permitted to wear the special patch this summer.

Argentina star Lionel Messi also wore the patch during Argentina’s opener against Algeria. He has also played in the same six World Cups that Ronaldo has played in.

Japan’s Yūto Nagatomo, Germany captain Manuel Neuer and Croatia star Luka Modric also wore the patch in their matches against the Netherlands, Curaçao and Croatia respectively.

You scored

out of 20

Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed For Performance vs DR Congo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action with DR Congo's Ngal'ayel Mukau and Chancel Mbemba

Ronaldo was slammed by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino following his performance against DR Congo.

He said, per Goal: “I’m trying to be as kind as I can… but he [Ronaldo] was really off it. And he just looks like time has caught up with him. He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball.

“He offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on. I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?’ You’ve got to take people off.

“If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager. And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, ‘I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo’.”

Thierry Henry was also critical of his ‘seflish’ play. The Frenchman said on Fox: “One thing that’s important, people, please at home, the team needs to score. Not you needs to score…

“Because he wants to score, he goes in the path of the back pass, you see both players, and it’s easier for you to defend. And that’s my thing: the team needs to score. Not you.”

Ronaldo and Portugal return to action on Tuesday, June 23 when they take on Uzbekistan.

Sports

UFC Freedom 250 Medical Suspensions Revealed as Ilia Topuria Faces Several Months Out

Published

39 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

admin

UFC Freedom 250 will certainly go down not only in the history books of combat sports, but also in the history books of sporting events. The production was as grand and ambitious as you can get, while the stacked fight card also delivered.

Justin Gaethje captured the elusive undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, a journey that couldn’t have had a better highlight with the 38-year-old realising his dream in front of the White House. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane shocked much of the fanbase with an utterly dominant win over Alex Pereira.

Even before the two title fights, there were special moments throughout. Whether it be Sean O’Malley‘s salute KO, Josh Hokit’s rampant victory over Derrick Lewis, or the early finishes that preceded it.

Seven fights, seven finishes, six of them not even reaching the third round. However, with these kinds of performances, it’s no surprise that some of the fighters may have to spend time out with injuries.

UFC Freedom 250 Medical Suspensions

One of the main talking points following the event was the extent of Ilia Topuria‘s damage. The Georgian’s right eye was shut after just the first round, while blood was pouring out of his face throughout.

A vintage Gaethje performance, as he once again left his opponent in a brutal state. However, this isn’t to say he didn’t have to overcome his fair share of adversity.

Ilia Topuria’s Close Friend Provides True Health Update After Brutal UFC Freedom 250 Fight

A lot has been said about Topuria’s health after his war with Justin Gaethje, but a close friend probably knows best, and he’s spoken out.

Topuria was applying plenty of pressure in the second round, teeing off to the body with a series of powerful shots. Despite this, the American weathered the storm and came on strong in the third, with a doctor stoppage almost coming.

In terms of medical suspensions, Topuria received a minimum 180-day lay-off, while needing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon clearance. Meanwhile, Gaethje faces the same duration, after suffering injuries to his right wrist and left knee.

Unlike the main event, Gane versus Pereira was much more one-sided. The Frenchman put on a masterclass that many fans and fighters wouldn’t have expected. He was too light on his feet and quick for Pereira, who was left with no answers.

Despite this, the fight did end in a somewhat controversial fashion. Herb Dean didn’t intervene when Gane was unloading strikes to the back of Pereira’s head; the Brazilian has since took to social media criticising the referee.

UFC Freedom 250 medical suspensions
Fighter	Medical suspension
Justin Gaethje	Suspended 180 days or right wrist and left knee MRIs cleared; also suspended 45 days mandatory rest.
Ilia Topuria	Suspended 180 days or until cleared by oral and maxillofacial surgeon; also suspended 60 days for TKO.
Ciryl Gane	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Alex Pereira	Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Sean O’Malley	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Aiemann Zahabi	Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Josh Hokit	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Derrick Lewis	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Mauricio Ruffy	Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Michael Chandler	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Bo Nickal	Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Kyle Daukaus	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Diego Lopes	Suspended 30 days or until left eye cleared by physician.
Steve Garcia	Suspended 180 days or until left hand X-ray cleared; also suspended 60 days mandatory rest for knockout loss.

Pereira is now set to face a minimum 180-day suspension or until a maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative, with an extra 45 days for the TKO finish. In contrast, Gane faces a measly eight-day mandatory rest.

Similarly, O’Malley also came out of the fight unscathed and has just the eight-day suspension. However, his opponent Aiemann Zahabi, like Periera, is suspended for 45 days due to the TKO, with a further 180 days or until the maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative.

Sports

Liverpool Stance On Signing Diomande After Munoz Deal Agreed

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

admin

Liverpool are still working on a big-money deal to sign Yan Diomande, even after they complete the signing of Victor Munoz, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Andoni Iraola is the new man in charge at Anfield and will look to strengthen the squad he inherited from the sacked Arne Slot following Liverpool’s poor defence of their Premier League title in 2025/26.

After winning the league in Slot’s first season in charge, the Reds could only finish fifth in the last campaign, just about qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season – the bare minimum for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

First Iraola signing agreed

Osasuna attacker Victor Munoz at Real Madrid

Slot was quickly sacked upon the conclusion of the campaign and replaced by Iraola, who had guided Bournemouth to just one place below the Reds in the table.

It looks like Liveprool’s first signing under the Spaniard will be Munoz, with a deal agreed for the Osasuna winger. Newcastle had looked set to sign the 22-year-old, but it appears that Liverpool have moved quickly to hijack the deal.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday night: “Liverpool are set to sign Víctor Muñoz with hijack done. Newcastle in advanced talks for days but #LFC enter the deal, verbally agree terms with Muñoz and activate €40million release clause.

“All set to be signed and another big surprise.”

Munoz’s signing will not impact Liverpool’s chase to sign Diomande, however, GMS understands.

Liverpool optimistic a £100m deal can be done

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal

Diomande has been the Reds’ number one priority in the summer transfer window for some time, and despite spending £34.6million on Munoz, Liverpool still plan to work on a deal to bring the 19-year-old frontman to the club from RB Leipzig.

According to GMS sources, the Reds are optimistic that a deal can be done to sign Diomande, despite competition from Paris Saint-Germain. It is also not discounted by suitors that a deal for his signature is closed during the World Cup.

⚽

World Cup History Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Diomande is in action in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup and starred in his debut match at the tournament, picking up the man of the match award in the Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.

He has previously stated that he is a fan of Liverpool and wanted to play at Anfield, later backtracking on those comments by saying it was his dad’s wish for him to play there as his father was a big Liverpool supporter.