Ilia Topuria is admitting half of his fight against Justin Gaethje was literally a blur -- claiming he lost sight in both eyes before the 3rd round ... but he's not using it as an excuse for the outcome.
El Matador just broke his silence on his stunning loss to the Highlight on the White House South Lawn at UFC Freedom 250 ... first congratulating his dance partner for backing his trash talk leading up to the bout.
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"You said you'd leave your mark on my face … and you did," Topuria said.
Don't expect a Freedom 251 from the UFC ... 'cause Dana White says while the event was absolutely epic, it was just too damn expensive to ever do again!
"It was an amazing experience. This was a one-of-one that will never happen again," the UFC honcho told the media after the historic night of fights.
A reporter pressed, asking if there was any way we could see a return to the White House.
TMZ DC caught up with Shane after Sunday night's UFC Freedom 250 fights at the White House, and Shane didn't hold back when Charlieasked him about Hokit's ugly remark about the former First Lady.
Josh Hokit may not win Fight of the Night, but he's got the most offensive post-fight interview on lock ... the controversial UFC star just declared Michelle Obama was "a man" while being interviewed by Joe Roganin the Octagon.
"And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?" 28-year-old heavyweight screamed ... as the 4,000-strong crowd groaned, reacting to the bizarre moment.
Daniel Cormier is adamant an exchange with Eric Trump about fixed fights never happened ... with the UFC legend claiming his account must have been tampered with on Sunday.
The shocking post seemingly went up hours before the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn ... showing alleged DMs from President Trump's son asking if DC had any inside information that could help him with some bets.
The post was quickly deleted ... and Eric came forward to deny the conversation ever happened. He stated A.I. was involved in faking the messages. Cormier also followed up by asking, "Are people really this dumb?"
Dan Bongino thought Josh Hokit's shocking "joke" about Michelle Obama after his UFC Freedom 250 victory was pretty damn funny ... and says those clutching their pearls need to chill.
TMZ DC caught up with the former deputy director of the FBI after the huge White House spectacle ... and we had to ask what he thought of Hokit calling Michelle "a man" in his post-fight comments.
Check out the video ... Dan says the moment brought the house down ... because it was so wild and unexpected. He also addresses those who think the comment was in poor taste.
Sean Strickland was rushed out of a UFC party Sunday night by Secret Service agents near the White House -- not because he did anything wrong -- but for his own safety, TMZ has learned.
The UFC champ -- who has been critical of President Trump -- attended last night's viewing party with UFC fans on the Ellipse overlooking the White House.
As you know, Trump was holding the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the Great Lawn as he celebrated his 80th birthday ... but Strickland was barred from the event because he wasn't invited.
It's curtains on UFC Freedom 250 ... a history-making night at the White House that had everything from an endless stream of knockouts, to an idiotic comment about Michelle Obama.
The judges could've just stayed at home, 'cause all seven fights on the card ended in knockout ... with the main event being the only scrap that even went past the second round.
The night started with President TrumpandDana White walking from the Oval Office to a balcony overlooking the Octagon on the South Lawn ... before the National Anthem was performed.
Charlie Cotton caught up with Kid Rock -- who told us UFC Freedom 250 ranks #1 in all United States sporting events of ALL TIME!!!
Heavy hitters like Mackenzie Dern, Joshua Van and Diego Lopes also pulled up to the prez's place Sunday evening before one of the most-anticipated events in sports.
Gilbert Burns put a fan in a headlock for a photo-op ... while Jean Silva stood next to his admirers, fists raised, for pics.
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna says loving the UFC fight on the White House lawn isn't a choice ... it's chemical -- with testosterone producers sure to enjoy.
Our TMZDC team caught up with the Florida rep. before the controversial event on Sunday ... and we had to ask about all the backlash for the event.
Luna's clear that people who don't produce testosterone -- basically, weaklings and wimps -- are the only ones who can't get behind this event ... a knock on many liberals who have attacked the prez for going through with it.
Let freedom ring ... UFC’s top fighters are getting ready to step into the octagon today for Freedom 250 ... so we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic celebrities, events, and award presentations held at The White House.
This is the first UFC fight being staged at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue ... but there have been plenty of other noteworthy events over the years ... with tons of star power and plenty of pomp and circumstance at The People's House.
Tomorrow!!! The sprawling lawns of the White House will be slammed with fist-flying action as UFC Freedom 250 brings some of the sport's biggest stars to the nation's capital.
From championship clashes to heavyweight fireworks, the historic event is set to deliver a knockout night in front of a uniquely American backdrop ....
Before the fighters step into the spotlight, can you identify the shredded studs from their bulked-up shots?!
Ariana Grande is spamming the hell out of the White House's TikTok account to make her message crystal clear ... she doesn't want them using her music to promotePresident Trump's immigration crackdown.
And it looks like someone listened, because the song's been removed from the clip that set Ariana off in the first place.
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A new video circulating on social media shows the pissed-off pop star flooding the post's comments section by copy-and-pasting her response condemning the White House for using her music.
ICYMI, Ariana wrote ... "please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. f*** ice." And now she's reiterated that exact message multiple times under the clip.
Here's something to shake your nerves and rattle your brain ... the Pentagon just released a fresh batch of files connected to unidentified aerial phenomena ... and there's shocking videos of mystery orbs lighting up our skies.
Check out the footage showing a series of separate incidents ... unexplained lights and orbs appear in the sky, sometimes seemingly out of thin air and other times traveling at unknown speeds.
One clip -- a recreation of an event described to government officials -- shows a bright red orb slowly appearing in the sky before later disappearing ... with smaller orbs appearing in sequential order along the same plane.
Calling all you mighty Millennials, ballin' Boomers, groovy Gen X-ers, and everyone else ... We're tappin' y'all into Gen-Z's hottest stories of the week, packed with sexy stars and piping-hot news!
And to kick off Sunday's UFC Freedom 250, we've got your first look at the Octagon Girls!
