The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
Shortcast updated
About this episode
Justin Gaethje KNOCKED OUT Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in Washington D.C. and Daniel Cormier IS AT THE OCTAGON to give you his instant reaction to the fights. The historic fights also included Ciryl Gane knocking out Alex Pereira in his attempt to be a three-division champ, Sean O'Malley getting a walk-off KO against Aiemann Zahabi, and Josh Hokit finishing Derrick Lewis. Plus, DC gives his take on Mauricio Ruffy, Diego Lopes, and Bo Nickal all getting dominant wins over Michael Chandler, Steve Garcia, and Kyle Daukas. Hear why Cormier calls this historic event at the nation's capital THE GREATEST MMA event ever. #Volume All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode summary
Guys, Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., felt unreal from start to finish; the weather held, the production hit every mark, and the Ellipse was packed with about eighty thousand, turning it into a true once-in-a-generation scene.
The night belonged to Justin Gaethje, a massive underdog who faced unbeaten Ilia Topuria on America’s birthday, and I’ve always believed a stage like this can lift a fighter to something bigger.
Round one was tight; in the second, Ilia ripped the body, followed him down, chased subs, and burned a ton of energy while Justin survived.
Justin surged in the third and dropped Ilia; between rounds there was chaos, but Mark Goddard and the doctor let it continue, and even with fans lighting up my phone about extra rest, Ilia fought hard in the fourth until a late knee to the body.
Before the fifth, Ilia’s corner stopped it after mixed voices in the huddle, and then Justin’s walk past the presidents with the flag on his shoulders gave me chills on a night built for that kind of moment.
Alex Pereira dared to chase history at heavyweight, but Ciryl Gane blended in wrestling looks, kept him guessing, and finished the job; Gane should get Tom Aspinall next, and Pereira still deserves respect for shooting his shot.
Sean O’Malley said he needed a knockout and delivered on Aiemann Zahabi with a cold finish and a salute that people will replay for years, which puts him right in the conversation as Merab and Petr Yan handle their trilogy talk.
Bo Nickal flattened Kyle Daukaus and keeps leveling up, and Diego Lopes stopped Steve Garcia in a statement win.
This was the best fight night and the biggest event I’ve ever been part of; from a kid out of Lafayette to standing on the South Lawn of the White House, I felt the American dream in real time.
My Total Wireless Fighter of the Night is Justin Gaethje; thank you for blowing up the numbers, let’s keep building MMA together, and as always, like, subscribe, and tell a friend—peace.
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