UFC Freedom 250 fight card: This is the main event and undercard fights at the White House

The UFC has engineered a dream summer for MMA fans — starting off with a one-of-a-kind event to be held in front of an iconic backdrop - the 225-year-old White House in Washington DC.

In the night’s main event, undefeated lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17‑0) puts his belt on the line against the always‑dangerous Justin Gaethje (27‑5), who enters as the division’s top contender.

Topuria, AKA El Matador, has carved through the lightweight ranks with precision striking and knockout power that leaves little room for error. Across the cage, Gaethje, a former interim champ and one of the most electrifying fighters in the sport, brings his trademark chaos: relentless pressure, heavy leg kicks, and a willingness to walk through fire to land his own bombs.

With Topuria’s laser precision and Gaethje’s all‑gas‑no‑brakes style, fans tuning in on Sunday are in for a high‑octane battle that could reshape the lightweight landscape.

In the co-main event, Alex Pereira (13-3-0) has bulked up to step up a weight class to contest the interim heavyweight title with France’s Ciryl Gane (13-2-0). The Brazilian, a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, is hoping to add a third world title to his CV. This will be Gane’s fifth UFC title fight since 2021.

Pereira with a chance to make history

“I’m been putting in the work and the reason that I am here is because of the work and the effort I have put in, is the reward for everything that I have done and now, an opportunity to turn that into a third belt - that is historic, that is something that inspires people,” Topuria said in his press conference.

“I come from a life of challenges, of difficulties,” he continued. “I have a very beautiful story to show. And for someone like me to accomplish that and to make history, it would inspire people as well”.

Completing the UFC Freedom 250 fight card will be an additional five fights featuring eight Americans,three Brazilians and fighters from Canada, Georgia and France.

UFC Freedom 250 gets underway at 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday June 14, and will be aired live from the White House aired live on Paramount+.

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