Justin Gaethje entered the UFC Freedom 250 main event as a heavy underdog to then-champion Ilia Topuria. At 6 to 1 odds, there was money to be made with a wager on “The Highlight.”
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to place a bet on Gaethje to win and cashed in when Topuria’s corner threw in the towel following the fourth round.
Advertisement
“I knew. I put my money on Gaethje,” Ngannou told TMZ Sports. “I bet on Gaethje. You know, I saw the odds and I’m like, ‘Something is wrong with this bookmaker.’ Like, ‘What’s wrong?’ Like, this is Justin Gaethje, man. Like, I mean, even when the guy lost, he always shows up and gives you the show. Put on the show. And then he’s a guy that he’s good at taking people so out. You know? And then I was like, he’s been knocked out. Like, why? You know? No, I put money on Gaethje.”
Ngannou didn’t reveal how much money he placed on Gaethje but it was enough to make him a happy man.
“Thanks to him, I’m having a wonderful day. I’m having a beautiful week,” Ngannou said. “I put some money on him. Not a million dollars.”
Ngannou parted ways with the UFC in 2023 after failing to come to terms with the fight promotion on a new contract. After a stint in boxing where he fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou returned to mixed martial arts in May, defeating Philipe Lins on the MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano fight card.
