WASHINGTON—America’s semiquincentennial birthday celebration kicks into gear June 14 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Freedom 250 fights, with seven matches scheduled for the South Lawn of the White House.
To kick off proceedings, President Donald Trump and UFC President and CEO Dana White walked through the White House grounds past the new Presidential Walk of Fame before greeting the crowd from the Truman Balcony.
Three-time grammy winner artist Zac Brown Band sang the national anthem, joined by the U.S. Marine Band, while a 12-plane formation of Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds flew overhead.
“This will be the greatest show on earth,” Trump said while previewing the stage in May.
“I think it’s going to be the biggest event we’ve ever had at the White House.”
The spectacle falls on Flag Day as well as Trump’s 80th birthday.
Organizers constructed a 60-foot-tall structure known as the “claw,” with matches occurring in the sport’s familiar, octagon-shaped arena on the front yard of the Executive Mansion.
Fighters walked from the White House to the mat flanked by uniformed military members.
The main event, a lightweight title unification bout, features undefeated UFC lightweight title holder Ilia “El Matador” Topuria, 29, facing off against 37-year-old interim lightweight champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje, both weighing in at 155 pounds. Topuria, known for elite techniques and knockout strength, is heavily favored, though the U.S.-born Gaethje is a mainstay in the sport, with high-level fighting intelligence and durability.
Second on the card, listed as a co-main event, is an interim heavyweight bout between 251-pound Alex Pereira, 38, and 248-pound Ciryl Gane, 36.
Known as “Poatan,” Pereira is looking to become the sport’s first three-division champion, having previously captured the middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
France’s Gane, nicknamed “Bon Gamin,” a former interim champion, is quick on his feet and known for his range. The match is evenly stacked, according to oddsmakers.
Winners of the title bouts will receive red, white, and blue patriotic-themed belts, adorned with “1776–2026,” 250 stars, approximately 60 carats of diamonds, and an engraving of the scene at the White House.
Fan favorite “Suga” Sean O’Malley is expected to bring his trademark personality to the ring when he takes on Aiemann Zahabi for the bantamweight match, with both fighters coming within a half-pound of each other at weigh-in. O’Malley’s quick striking gives him the edge, while Zahabi comes into the match with a seven-fight win streak.
An undefeated new prospect weighing 231 pounds, Josh Hokit, with nine straight victories, will challenge 265-pound Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis in the night’s heavyweight fight. Hokit brings youthful energy to the ring, while Lewis is known as an elite, lights-out puncher.
Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy takes on veteran Michael Chandler in a bout where Ruffy is favored, but Chandler’s wrestling skills and bursts of energy will be on display.
Bo Nickal is expected to prevail over Kyle Daukaus in a middleweight battle between the two 186-pounders, while a featherweight match between Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia is set to open the night.
Lopes claimed victory in the opener by knockout. Garcia landed more punches in the first round and kept Lopes retreating for much of the action after connecting early. The two exchanged jabs in the second round before Lopes dominated with a flurry of strikes that knocked Garcia down and ended the match.
"This is unbelievable," Lopes said after winning.
"Nobody can beat me in a bantam fight."
Nickal took Daukaus to the mat in the opening moments of the first round of the second match, landing elbows in tight quarters that cut his opponent’s face. The referee stood the fighters up, but Nickal won by knockout in the closing seconds of the round.
“It wouldn’t be possible without you,” he told Trump, who has long supported Nickal, while greeting the president after securing the victory.
Emcee and commentator Joe Rogan interviewed the fighter after he won.
“I have so much respect for [Trump], grateful to be here, grateful to be a part of it,” Nickal said.
Thousands of military members and special guests sat ringside, while the Ellipse near the White House is set up to hold an overflow crowd of approximately 100,000. Gates opened at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday for the main event and Fan Fest watch party, which includes a replica octagon, interactive entertainment, live music, merchandise booths, live shows and appearances, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes, fireworks, and more.
The Zac Brown Band headlined Saturday night, with more musical acts featured along with motocross stunts by Travis Pastrana.
Officials with the UFC promoted the fights as the “most historic sporting event of all time,” with festivities coinciding with the nation’s founders signing the Declaration of Independence.
“UFC Freedom 250 commemorates the 250th birthday of the United States with a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit,” the organization said in a statement. “From the revolution to the octagon, this historic event will connect fans through cinematic storytelling and unrivaled competition on the world’s greatest proving ground.”
People around the world can watch the fights live on Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET.