Francis Ngannou Cashes in on Justin Gaethje Bet After UFC Title Upset

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed he placed a bet on Justin Gaethje to defeat Ilia Topuria at UFC White House last weekend, a fight in which Gaethje was a significant underdog. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Ngannou expressed disbelief at the odds, which had Gaethje as high as a +500 underdog on some sportsbooks, and credited Gaethje's consistent performance history for his confidence in the bet. Gaethje (28-5) challenged undefeated champion Ilia Topuria (17-1) for the undisputed lightweight title in the main event. After a competitive four rounds, Topuria's corner threw in the towel, granting Gaethje the title in his third attempt at the belt. Ngannou, who did not disclose the amount of his wager, thanked Gaethje for making his week, stating: "I bet on Gaethje. I saw these odds and I'm like, 'Something's wrong with these bookmakers. This is Justin Gaethje, man. Even when the guy lost, he always showed up and put on a show. He's good at taking people out… Thanks to him, I had a wonderful day. I'm having a beautiful week.'"

Ngannou is not the only high-profile figure to profit from Gaethje's victory. Fellow fighter Arman Tsarukyan is reported to have won a $5.7 million payout after wagering $1 million on Gaethje. In light of the win, Tsarukyan has reportedly promised to gift Gaethje a truck. Gaethje's win not only added a marquee triumph to his record but also proved lucrative for a circle of supporters who believed in his chances despite the odds.