Justin Gaethje emerged victorious at the White House during UFC Freedom 250 after defeating Ilia Topuria via a fourth-round stoppage, partly thanks to a $500 bet.

Topuria and Gaethje put on an amazing spectacle in Washington D.C. as they went head-to-head inside the Octagon, earning Fight of the Night honours in the process.

Gaethje sprung the upset in the pair’s undisputed title fight, busting Topuria’s face up badly with strikes. By the end of the fight, both of the adopted Spaniard’s eyes were badly swollen, and it was later revealed that he had suffered broken orbital bones in both of his eyes.

Gaethje Survived Vicious Body Shots to Defeat Topuria at the White House

However, before Gaethje claimed his career-defining victory, he was forced to battle through severe adversity in the second round. The American was dropped to the canvas with a perfectly timed liver shot that sent him directly to the canvas.

Topuria looked to be on the verge of a win, but Gaethje managed to survive thanks to a bet that he made with his sparring partners before the fight.

In a post to his YouTube channel, Gaethje’s sparring partner and fellow UFC lightweight Drew Dober explained how the wager had helped Justin prepare for Topuria’s body shots.

“He was able to stay in the pocket of Ilia Topuria, handle those body shots in the second round], which not many people can do. But Gaethje has that championship mindset and heart. I mean, he gives out $500 to anybody that drops him with a body shot in sparring. I definitely have tried to earn that $500, so I know he can recover from that and he did.”

Topuria Criticised For His UFC White House Preparation

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

In the aftermath of his defeat, Topuria has faced questions about his own training camp. ‘El Matador’ was called out by former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor, who argued that Ilia wasn’t testing himself enough in the gym.

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor noted:

“I knew [Topuria would lose], I’d just seen the training. You need to get it put on you in the gym. You need the guys coming at you. There was too much the other way.

“Walking forward, hands down…you’re gonna get walloped,” insisted McGregor. “He’s a bit flat-footed. He’s not a fully complete fighter.

I’ve not been in that situation. He got banged up bad, which caused him to quit.”

Tottenham may miss out on one of their midfield transfer targets this summer.

Spurs have done some strong work in the summer transfer window already, with three signings in defence being made. Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi were swift free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, while Spurs acted quickly to get a £52million deal for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton over the line.

Now attention will turn to other parts of the pitch, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to strengthen in midfield.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham are keen to make a statement signing this summer and the central midfielders they are being linked with would certainly be that given the figures involved.

Two midfielders Spurs want to sign

via Reuters

Spurs are in talks over a deal to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, with the Magpies expecting a fee in the region of £100million to get a deal done.

Meanwhile, Spurs have also been in contact with West Ham star Mateus Fernandes’ representatives over a move to north London, with that deal likely to cost £80million too.

Spurs survived in the Premier League on the final day of last season at the expense of the Hammers, who will play in the Championship next season and for Fernandes that does not hold much excitement.

The 21-year-old only left Southampton to join the Hammers last summer, after the Saints were relegated to the second tier and another move may now be on the cards this year.

Tottenham face competition in their bid to sign him, however, with Manchester United having already laid a lot of groundwork for a deal.

United are in the market for at least two midfielders this summer, with Ederson already signed in a £38million deal from Atalanta, bar the official confirmation.

Tottenham and Man Utd both in talks to sign Fernandes

via Reuters

Fernandes is one of a number of names on their shortlist to arrive at Old Trafford and a bid is already planned.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: “It’s true that Tottenham called the agent of the player.

“So, Tottenham had a conversation with the agent of player and are interested in Mateus Fernandes, but at the moment, it’s still early to say where he is going.

“Tottenham calling, Manchester United in talks, Real Madrid under consideration.”

Now it has emerged that Fernandes would prefer a move to Old Trafford over staying in London and signing for West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham.

One trusted Spurs source on X posted after the links: ‘He has his heart set out on Utd.’

Already, one of the big narratives forming in the 2026 World Cup is the potentially negative impact star striker Cristiano Ronaldo is having on Portugal. The 41-year-old was ineffective in his nation’s draw with DR Congo, sparking much debate about his role in the team.

Joao Neves opened the scoring for Roberton Martinez’s side, but Premier League striker Yoane Wissa levelled things before the break. As the game went on, Ronaldo struggled to make much of a difference, but was left on for the entire match, which finished level at 1-1.

Many were less than impressed by the Al Nassr man, who has now gone 10 games without a goal for Portugal at major international tournaments. Thierry Henry suggested that there should be more of a focus on the team scoring, as opposed to just Ronaldo, in what appeared to be a dig at the forward, but Peter Schmeichel has laid the blame on someone else.

Peter Schmeichel Slams Roberto Martinez

Former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Schmeichel did not hold back as he tore into Portugal manager Martinez after the draw. He claimed that the coach is set to waste two golden generations, having previously been in charge of Belgium between 2016 and 2022. As quoted by A Bola, the pundit said:

Instead of directing critism at Ronaldo, he contiuned to lay the blame at the man who picked the team, questioning the wisdom of leaving Joao Felix and Rafael Leao on the bench

Schmeichel did not stop their either, he again warned that this golden era of Portuguese talent could be wasted with Martinez in charge, adding:

Roberto Martinez Defends Ronaldo Decision

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

With Colombia beating Uzbekistan, Portugal are currenlty third in Group L on one point (level with DR Congo), and will now take on Uzbekistan next, before then meeting Colombia in their final group game. It will be interesting to see if Martinez keeps the faith in Ronaldo, or adapts his team much going forward.

Speaking after the draw, the Portugal coach insisted that it was the right call to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, even though he registered just 25 touches during the match, his lowest-ever tally in a major tournament match where he played the full 90 (as per Opta via Goal). Martinez said:

“It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals. For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important. The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way ⁠that we can use the space is important. And every player has a responsibility or a piece of quality on the pitch. And clearly when you look for goals, you need to have Cristiano.”

With that in mind, it doesn’t seem likely that Ronaldo will come out of the team in the upcoming game against Uzbekistan.