Francis Ngannou Wins Big Betting on Justin Gaethje
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion from Cameroon, won big by betting on Justin Gaethje to win against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250.
Gaethje was a +400 underdog when he beat Topuria in the main event of the UFC White House card, with a fourth-round TKO due to corner stoppage.
The 37-year-old American defied the odds by systematically breaking down Topuria until scoring the finish.
Ngannou, who currently competes for MVP MMA, was able to wager on the fight because he is no longer a UFC fighter.
In 2022, the UFC instituted a rule that UFC fighters can’t bet on fights, but this rule does not apply to Ngannou.
Ngannou spoke to TMZ in a recent interview, saying he made good money betting on Gaethje to beat Topuria, though he didn’t reveal the exact amount he wagered.
Ngannou praised Gaethje, saying “he’s a guy that he’s good at taking people out” and that he “always shows up and gives you the show”.
And Ngannou thanked Gaethje for his win, saying it made his day and week wonderful.
But the UFC rule against fighters betting on fights remains in place, affecting current UFC athletes.
So Ngannou’s ability to bet on the fight was an exception, given his current status as an MVP MMA competitor.
Ngannou’s comments were reported by MMA Weekly, which quoted him as saying “I put my money on Gaethje” and that he won money because of it.
The win by Gaethje was a significant upset, given that Topuria was a -550 favorite to win.
And the outcome of the fight was a testament to Gaethje’s skill and determination as a fighter.
But for Ngannou, the win was also a financial success, given his bet on Gaethje to win.
Ngannou’s decision to bet on Gaethje was likely influenced by his own experience as a fighter and his knowledge of the sport.
The exact amount of money Ngannou won is not known, as he did not reveal this information in his interview with TMZ.
However, it is clear that Ngannou was pleased with the outcome of the fight and the financial gain he received from it.