It’s time for one of the most unique sporting events of all time. UFC Freedom 250 touches down on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday for a seven-fight card, headlined by two title fights. Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria looks to unify his title against interim champ Justin Gaethje in the main event while an interim heavyweight champion is crowned when Alex Pereira takes on Ciryl Gane. It all goes down as part of a celebration of America’s 250th birthday as well as President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
The heat between Topuria and Gaethje has intensified throughout the week in D.C. Topuria took exception to Gaethje father calling him “another short guy” as well as the interim champion appearing to reference his now ex-wife after a nasty divorce. Gaethje, for his part, doesn’t believe he ever made a bad comment about Topuria’s ex and believes that the champion is just looking for extra motivation.
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A win on Sunday for Gaethje would be a fitting cap to an incredible career in which he twice held the interim title. “The Highlight” is known for racking up performance bonuses, but has never been able to get over the hump for the full title.
In the co-main event, Pereira looks to make history by earning a third-division championship while Gane looks to also finally get over the interim hump. Pereira has been one of the most reliable fighters in the last five years for UFC, always answering the call and delivering incredible action. Now, he can join some rarified air after moving up from both middleweight and light heavyweight where he held the titles.
The rest of the card features some interesting matchups of rising contenders and veterans looking to make a statement on the biggest stage imaginable. That’s especially true in the other heavyweight showdown set for Sunday when all-time knockout king Derrick Lewis takes on rising contender Josh Hokit. Lewis was a late add to the card after not being in the original plans. He gets one of the fastest rising names in the sport in Hokit who is coming off a fight of the year contender against Curtis Blaydes in April.
Plus, former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley returns to take on rising contender Aiemann Zahabi. Rising lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy hopes to keep rolling against veteran Michael Chandler. Rising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal looks to take the next step up in his rise when he takes on veteran Kyle Daukaus. And featherweight sluggers meet in the opener when Diego Lopes battles Steve Garcia.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC Freedom 250, along with the just in odds. Check back all week long for the just in news, features and other content around this massive event.
Where to watch UFC Freedom 250
- Date: Sunday, June 14 | Location: The White House — Washington, D.C.
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET (Main card)
- Watch live: Subscribe to Paramount+
UFC Freedom 250 fight card, odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook (as of June 12)
- Ilia Topuria (c) -520 vs. Justin Gaethje (ic) +390, undisputed lightweight title
- Ciryl Gane -115 vs. Alex Pereira -105, interim heavyweight title
- Sean O’Malley -425 vs. Aiemann Zahabi +330, bantamweights
- Josh Hokit -410 vs. Derrick Lewis +320, heavyweights
- Mauricio Ruffy -650 vs. Michael Chandler +470, lightweights
- Bo Nickal -310 vs. Kyle Daukaus +250, middleweights
- Diego Lopes -148 vs. Steve Garcia +124, featherweights
UFC Freedom 250 countdown
- Complete viewer’s guide for Sunday’s action
- All fighters on weight for event, Lopes weighs in twice as backup
- Staff predictions and expert picks for every fight on the card
- Brookhouse: Ranking the greatest 25 American fighters in UFC history
- Mahjouri: Topuria opens up about ‘tough’ public divorce
- Brookhouse: Best bets to consider in each fight on Sunday
- Campbell: Pereira nearing MMA immortality with Teixeira leading the way
- Brookhouse: The most unique venues in MMA history ahead of The White House
- Hummer: How Hokit transformed from college football walk-on to breakout star
- Campbell: An inside look at how the White House event structure came together
- Mahjouri: Gaethje blames Topuria for sparking family drama ahead of title fight
- Mahjouri: Undercard fights to watch this weekend
- Topuria says Gaethje “crossed the line” with comments about ex-wife
- Campbell: Five biggest storylines to follow in Washington D.C.
Who wins UFC White House: Topuria vs. Gaethje, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks, and find out.
