The first-ever UFC event held at the White House in Washington, D.C. is now official, as UFC Freedom 250 was confirmed Saturday night.
In the main event, Ilia Topuria will take on Justin Gaethje to unify the UFC lightweight championship. Topuria is the current titleholder while Gaethje is the interim champion.
Ciryl Gane and former UFC champion Alex Pereira will square off in the co-main event for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.
Other bouts announced include former UFC champion Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia.
Unbeaten Ilia Topuria Gets UFC White House Main Event
Topuria is a perfect 17-0 in his career and coming off a first round knockout of Charles Oliveira last June. That bout marked his return to the lightweight division, as he won the vacant belt.
Prior to that, Topuria defended the UFC featherweight title with a third round knockout of Max Holloway. He would later vacate the belt to move up to the lightweight division.
Gaethje won the interim title in January when he defeated Paddy Pimblett in the first UFC card to air live on Paramount+. He is 27-5 overall and on a two-fight win streak, going 4-1 over his last five.
UFC Freedom To Honor American History
The card will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and is expected to be held on the South Lawn of the White House. It will mark the third time the promotion has held a card in Washington, D.C.
June 14 is also the birthday of President Donald Trump, a close friend of UFC executive Dana White. Trump first released plans about the White House card while holding a rally last July at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card
- UFC Lightweight Championship: Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Justin Gaethje (ic)
- Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship: Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira
- Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
- Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
- Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
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