Justin Gaethje Captures Undisputed Lightweight Crown In Epic Fashion At UFC Freedom 250

Melania Trump fist bump is the best recognition any competitor could ever receive beyond a lingering handshake by the 45th & 47th POTUS Donald J. Trump, all the while about 70 to 80 thousand people on the 52 acre Ellipse Park (also referred to as President's Park South) celebrate the underdog American win over an undefeated/undisputed UFC Champion. Image Credit: Paramount+ via TNT Sports - FB/META REELS (2026)

Justin Gaethje Captures Undisputed Lightweight Crown In Epic Fashion At UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje has long stood as MMA’s premier action fighter. Now, the American warrior stands alone as simply the best. 

On Sunday, the resilient American (born and bred in the Eastern border mining town of Safford Arizona) underdog shocked the combat world by forcing 6 to 1 favored lightweight champion, Spain's own Ilia Topuria,   to retire on his stool at "one of" UFC Freedom 250 event, celebrating the 250th year of the birth of the United States of America, on the South lawn of the White House, in Washington DC.

No fighter embodies the true warrior spirit quite like Gaethje. Nicknamed “The Highlight,” he has lived up to that moniker since his very first UFC appearance and has never looked back. Across 15 UFC bouts, he has earned a post-fight bonus in nearly every outing - a remarkable streak that continued in unforgettable fashion during the main event of a historic card.

What proves most impressive about Gaethje’s ascent remains his ability to refine his naturally violent style for the highest levels of competition while never compromising the fan-pleasing aggression that defines him. That truth never shined brighter than in Sunday’s main event. 

Against the iconic backdrop of the White House in an octagon center-framed within an outdoor event structure, designed in Europe, nicknamed "The Claw," Gaethje painted Topuria’s face crimson with relentless pressure. He relied on ironclad survival instincts, weathering a brutal second round where body shots to the liver area dropped him. Topuria appeared to err tactically by chasing control submissions while the two were wrestling on the canvas, granting Gaethje precious moments to recover. 

By Round 3, Topuria looked visibly slowed - a perilous state against a fighter who thrives in wars of attrition. Gaethje turned the tide, knocking down and repeatedly stunning the champion after nearly being finished himself - through canvas control escapes. The accumulated damage to Topuria’s face grew so severe that the ringside physician nearly halted the contest. For the good of the contest and the wishes of Topuria himself, the Referee signaled the beginning of Round 4. 

Topuria fought back valiantly in Round 4, arguably claiming the penultimate stanza, yet one of his cornermen threw in the towel as the Georgian’s face continued to swell dramatically, with an orbital bone visibly displaced on the right side. 

“My durability, tenacity, and heart will carry me through adversity,” Gaethje declared in his post-fight interview. 

Already a two-time interim lightweight champion, Gaethje finally seized the undisputed UFC Championship title that had long eluded him. The achievement carries even greater weight given that he and his team had openly discussed retirement following his next defeat. 

Two UFC Belts - one for the outright Lightweight UFC Championship, one for the UFC Freedom 250 Event Championship main card, a handshake and a fist-bump from the POTUS and First Lady - competitive life may not get any better than this moment in time.

TAGS: #JustinGaethje, #UFCFreedom250, #LightweightChampion, #IliaTopuria, #TheHighlight, #MMAWarrior, #UFC, #WhiteHouseFight, #EpicUpset, #FightOfTheYear, #TheEDJE, #MAXINE

David Hockney, Laurel & Nichols Canyons, And A 1980 Driveway Encounter

Nichols Canyon on down towards its entrance off of Hollywood Boulevard to the South - this image is looking roughly South down into the property and all of the way down the canyon in Hockney's Nichols Canyon from the brown curve depicted center left at the top of the upper part of the painting - artistic license understood. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2007)

David Hockney, Laurel & Nichols Canyons, And A 1980 Driveway Encounter

David Hockney passed yesterday at the age of 88, leaving behind a body of work that forever reframed how the world sees Southern California light, landscape, and lived experience. For one longtime Angeleno family nestled in Nichols Canyon - just one twist east of the more celebrated Laurel Canyon - the news carried an especially personal resonance.

In the early 1980s, while the patriarch tended his front yard on a quiet decomposed-granite driveway, a familiar silver-haired artist pulled in unannounced. It was David Hockney. The two men spoke at length beneath the warm canyon sun. 

HollyLoa from the front looking North with Palm Tree Point on the right next to the decomposed granite driveway - this image is looking roughly North up into the property depicted in Hockney's Nichols Canyon by the yellow Queen Palm with the stucco house behind at center left near the bottom of the upper third of the painting. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2007)

Hockney, camera in hand, captured images of the classic Post-War, late 1940s ranch-style home perched behind hand-laid broken concrete terraces overflowing with purple lantana, long-needle pines, bamboo clusters, South American Jacaranda, and a majestic Queen Palm standing sentinel at the driveway’s entrance ("Palm Tree Point"). The air that day, as on most days in the canyon, carried the unmistakable perfume of native sage, eucalyptus, and wild chaparral rising on the breeze.

Years would pass before the family connected those casual driveway photographs to Hockney’s now-iconic painting "Nichols Canyon." 

When the print finally came into view, the recognition was immediate: the very house, the winding road ascending toward it, and that unmistakable queen palm anchoring the top-center third of the composition. The canvas traces Nichols Canyon Road, starting at Hollywood Boulevard at the bottom, as it snakes upward past the family property and continues all the way to Mulholland Drive via Woodrow Wilson Drive, capturing the layered greens, golden hills, and rhythmic curves that define this tucked-away canyon corner of the Hollywood Hills.

Hockney’s brief visit and resulting masterpiece remain a cherished private chapter in the canyon’s artistic lore - a moment when one of the 20th century’s greatest painters paused on a neighbor’s driveway, breathed the same chaparral-scented air, and transformed an everyday residential vista into something enduring and luminous.

Rest in peace, Mr. Hockney. Your brush touched more than canvas; it touched memory itself.

HollyLoa ... Twenty-Seven Years Beyond 

HollyLoa was sold in court in an overbid auction process and will have a new owner after escrow is complete in the summer of 2007.

The end of a proud and happy era in Nichols Canyon (1943 - 2007).

May God continue to bless everyone who will carry on the legacy of the property that was once known to the Willard & Maxine Jenks family as:

"HollyLoa"

Footnote: Yes, the Maxine mentioned in the previous sentence is the namesake ant tribute of the spirit of Maxine Jenks - MAXINE.

TAGS: #DavidHockney, #NicholsCanyon, #LaurelCanyon, #HollywoodHills, #CaliforniaLight, #Chaparral, #ArtAndMemory, #MAXINE, #TheEDJE, #RIPDavidHockney

50th ACURA Grand Prix Of Long Beach Delivers On A Tradition Of Spectacle With FOREIGNER

"Head Games" - Kelly Hansen incites the crowd of ACURA Grand Prix Of Long Beach "Knockout Qualifications" and 100 minute IMSA sportscar race ticket holders with the lyrics of one of FOREIGNER's most famous hits. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks – Motorsports Journal (2025)

50th ACURA Grand Prix Of Long Beach Delivers On A Tradition Of Spectacle With FOREIGNER

Foreigner headlined the Saturday night concert at the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 12, 2025, delivering a high-energy performance that complemented the motorsport festivities. The concert took place at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Terrace Theater Plaza, an outdoor stage in the heart of the Grand Prix’s vibrant atmosphere, and was free for all Saturday ticket holders, enhancing the weekend’s appeal for race fans. Below is a detailed overview of Foreigner’s appearance, the context of the event, and specifics about their performance, based on available information.

Context of the Event

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, held April 11–13, 2025, celebrated its 50th anniversary as North America’s longest-running major street race, drawing approximately 190,000 fans over three days. The event featured the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super Drift Challenge, Stadium Super Trucks, GT America, and a Historic Formula Exhibition showcasing Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar vehicles. Off-track attractions included a Lifestyle Expo, Family Fun Zone, food trucks, and concerts, with Foreigner’s performance serving as a centerpiece of the Saturday evening festivities. The Grand Prix, often called “America’s Fastest Beach Party,” is known for blending high-speed racing with entertainment, and Foreigner’s inclusion aligned with this tradition, especially given their own milestone approaching—50 years since their formation in 1976.

Foreigner’s Performance

Foreigner, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2024), performed a setlist packed with their classic hits, including “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Cold As Ice,” “Juke Box Hero,” and “Hot Blooded,” as highlighted in promotional materials. The band’s current touring lineup for the event consisted of:

• Kelly Hansen – Lead vocals, percussion
• Jeff Pilson – Bass, backing vocals, keyboards
• Michael Bluestein – Keyboards, keytar, backing vocals
• Bruce Watson – Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
• Chris Frazier – Drums, percussion
• Luis Maldonado – Rhythm and lead guitars, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals

Mick Jones, the band’s founder and lead guitarist, has not made appearances as a general rule due to Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2024. The intensity and tone of this performance, however, did not miss a beat or tone inflection since this touring band covers the original FOREIGNER perfect in every note.

A standout moment was Foreigner’s collaboration with students from Jordan High School’s choir, who joined the band for “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Juan-Jose Garcia, the choir director, described the experience as unforgettable, noting the students’ exposure to “rock ‘n roll energy” and the recognition of their talent. This collaboration added a local community element, resonating with the packed crowd at Terrace Theater Plaza.

The performance was praised for its energy and connection with the audience. A Press Telegram report noted that the plaza was filled with fans showing their love for Foreigner, who reciprocated with a dynamic set. With over 80 million albums sold worldwide and more top 10 hits than peers like Aerosmith or Journey, Foreigner’s timeless appeal amplified the celebratory mood of the Grand Prix’s milestone weekend.

Additional Event Details
• Concert Access and VIP Perks: The concert was accessible to all Saturday ticket holders (general admission starting at $75), making it a significant draw for attendees. VIP packages, including a charity auction for the Road Racing Drivers Club, offered perks like a meet-and-greet with Foreigner, a four-night stay at the Hilton Long Beach, and access to the Seaside Suites for race viewing. The auction, which raised funds for the Mark Donohue Foundation and The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, sold for $10,074.

• Event Atmosphere: The concert followed a day of racing, including INDYCAR qualifying (where Kyle Kirkwood secured pole position) and the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix. The Terrace Theater Plaza’s outdoor setting, near the 1.968-mile street circuit, blended the roar of engines with rock music, creating a festive vibe. Kelly Hansen emphasized the band’s connection to motorsports, noting past performances at the Indy 500 and NASCAR events, and their Los Angeles-area roots, which made the Long Beach appearance particularly fitting.

• Organizers’ Perspective: Jim Michaelian, President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, described Foreigner’s performance as “electrifying,” stating it was the “perfect way to celebrate our fifty years of racing here in Long Beach.” The band’s set was seen as a bridge between generations, much like the Grand Prix’s appeal to both racing purists and casual fans.

Critical Notes
Foreigner’s performance was a highlight of the Grand Prix’s 50th anniversary, but the absence of Mick Jones likely tempered the experience for some longtime fans, given his foundational role.

The band’s reliance on Hansen and the current lineup, while polished and well-received, reflects their evolution into a modern iteration, which some critics view as less authentic without original members. Nonetheless, the inclusion of local students and the free concert access for ticket holders underscored Foreigner’s commitment to community engagement and fan accessibility, aligning with the Grand Prix’s community-driven ethos.

The event also highlighted logistical challenges, such as road closures and parking restrictions in downtown Long Beach, which attendees navigated to enjoy the racing and entertainment. The Grand Prix’s economic impact, estimated at nearly $100 million for the region, was bolstered by high-profile acts like Foreigner, drawing diverse crowds.

… notes from The EDJE

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