UFC Freedom 250: Ciryl Gane smashes Alex Pereira to claim interim heavyweight title after

Gaethje doesn’t like it when his style is described as chaotic because it detracts from his skill and fight IQ but to the untrained eye, he can be a madman in there. He’s granite tough and will take one to land one.

But to do that against the heavy hands of Topuria would be a grave mistake.

He’s been out of action dealing with personal issues, having split with the mother of his children. It means there could be a bit of octagon rust given the last time he competed was a year ago.

It is turning into a late night for Donald Trump and his 80th birthday has technically ended now but the festivities continue with one last fight – the main event.

And what a fight it is too.

Justin Gaethje, arguably the most entertaining fighter in UFC history, bidding to win his first title and finally get over the line against Spanish supremo Ilia Topuria, a genuine superstar who has battered everyone from pillar to post.

SENSATIONAL CIRYL.

Gane just put it on Pereira and the two-weight champ had no answer.

He hurt him so badly that referee Herb Dean had to jump in with Pereira still standing. It was the right call too.

Massive punch after massive punch connected and it was unbelievable that the Brazilian could still stand up. Incredible performance to claim the interim heavyweight title and it really sets up an Aspinall revenge mission if the Brit is in any state to come back soon.

Fascinating first round and it isn’t often Pereira looks like the smaller man but he’s mixing it with the big boys now.

Gane is so fluid for a man of his size and has the better of the exchanges, landing a number of inside leg kicks. He’s busier with the hands too and although the Brazilian finds a home with a flurry on the buzzer, the first belongs to the Frenchman.

Tom Aspinall’s long-term absence due to an eye injury suffered from a double poke by Gane in their fight has put the heavyweights on pause.

Aspinall’s plans and exact recovery status are currently unknown so the division is in a bit of limbo, meaning tonight’s clash is for the interim title.

Prior to the fight, Pereira said: ‘It’s something unprecedented and something that’s never been done before.

‘I’ve been envisioning it, thinking and seeing everything I’ve been through in my life and everything I’ve been able to accomplish. I’m happy for an opportunity like this.’

Alex Pereira, the most fearsome striker in the UFC, makes the leap up to heavyweight tonight against Ciryl Gane.

What a test this is for the Brazilian. He has already won two belts and has designs on securing an unprecedented third in the top division.

Gane is a hugely talented striker and this game of cat and mouse is set to be enthralling in the co-main event. The Frenchman walks out with a medal of honour recipient and beats his chest on top of the White House steps.

Of course, the UFC don’t miss a trick and with all the eyeballs on this one, they drop in a brief clip of McGregor and Holloway going at it in an interview with Joe Rogan.

The Irishman will make his long-awaited return to the octagon next month in a rematch with ‘Blessed’.

Regardless of what kind of shape ‘Notorious’ is in, it’ll probably be the biggest pay-per-view card of the year.

The wardrobe for the octagon girls has been tailored for this event tonight and it seems there’s an admirer in the crowd.

Sean O’Malley is an absolute sniper!

The first round was a dud and the second started quietly before exploding into life with a sensational shot to stun Zahabi and another right after it sending him tumbling to the mat.

O’Malley didn’t follow it up and the referee also felt the fight was over, even though his challenger could possibly have recovered from the blow. Still, a brilliant finish and no doubt a bonus heading to O’Malley’s bank account.