The UFC’s monumental, once-in-a-lifetime White House event is drawing closer – and it’s one fight card you don’t want to miss.
Billed as UFC Freedom 250, the historic card is set to become one of the most unique events in combat sports history, with a purpose-built arena constructed on the South Lawn of America’s most famous residence.
UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The stacked card will feature some of the biggest stars in the sport, including lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, the most violent bloke in MMA Justin Gaethje and former two-division king Alex Pereira.
Australian fans will also have a familiar face to follow, with Windang Warrior Alex Volkanovski set to be cageside cornering Mauricio Ruffy.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC Freedom 250, including the Australian start time, full fight card and latest event information.
WHEN IS UFC FREEDOM 250?
For Australians, the event will take place on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The event starts at 10am AEST in Australia.
HOW TO WATCH?
Aussie fight fans can catch all the action for UFC Freedom 250 LIVE on Main Event via Kayo.
Fox Sports Australia will also be running a live blog of the event.
WHO IS HEADLINING?
A UFC lightweight slobberknocker will headline the card, with reigning champ Ilia Topuria putting his belt on the line against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje.
Still undefeated at 17-0, Topuria has quickly become one of the biggest names in the sport.
The 29-year-old notched up back-to-back knockout wins over the likes of Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway to claim and defend the featherweight crown before moving north to lightweight.
There, he added a second world title to his collection with a stunning finish of former champ Charles Oliveira.
Standing opposite him is one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters who brings fireworks every time he steps into the Octagon.
Gaethje has been an interim champion twice, but remains in search of his first undisputed UFC championship after previous losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira.
Topuria has been ramping up the mind games ahead of the fight, most recently posting a video of himself placing a white rose on a mock Gaethje memorial.
Gaethje responded this week, telling Fox Sports Australia that Topuria was an “annoying little bastard” – while also saying he understands why the UFC lightweight king’s wife famously left him last year.
WHO ELSE IS ON THE CARD?
Former two-division champ Alex Pereira will be throwing down with Ciryl Gane in a fight for the UFC interim heavyweight championship. If he wins he will be the UFC’s first three-division champ.
Heavyweight sluggers Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit landed a late call-up to the card for a classic big-man showdown.
According to Dana White, the matchup was partly driven by a request from President Trump, a well-known fan of Lewis.
The full card is below.
FULL CARD
Lightweight championship: Ilia Topuira vs. Justin Gaethje
Interim heavyweight championship: Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane
Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Heavyweight: Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis
Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE? WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
Just 4,300 invite-only guests will be in attendance for the historic spectacle, with a significant portion of seats reserved for US military personnel.
The celebrity guest list is expected to be stacked, with NFL legend Tom Brady, comedian Adam Sandler and Hollywood superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson among those tipped to attend.
The event will go ahead rain, hail or shine. Dana White says the only weather condition that will stop the fights is lightning.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said that the blockbuster “will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.
President Trump expects the event to break viewership records.
“It’s never happened before, and you’ll never see it again,” he told Fox Sports.
“It’s great and the UFC’s going to have all the best fighters in the world coming that night. They all say we want to fight at the White House.
“Dana is an amazing man, he’s done an amazing job, he’s put together something that – this will be the highest-rated event, maybe one of them ever in sports.”
ODDS (via sportsbet)
Ilia Topuria $1.14 to win, $1.50 via KO/TKO, $13.00 via points, $5.60 via submission
Justin Gaethje $5.50 to win, $7.75 via KO/TKO, $17.00 via points, $41.00 via submission
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PREDICTIONS
Nick Walshaw: ILIA TOPURIA VIA TKO RD 3
Look, there’s nothing we’d love to see more than the real life American Psycho, Justin Gaethje, popping a celebratory backflip on the White House lawn. However, a fella could go broke quick betting against the heavy hands of ‘El Matador’ … and we’re tipping the UFC lightweight champ will find Gaethje with said mitts once the popular berserker looks to open up himself.
Nick Walshaw: PEREIRA VIA TKO RD 2
While bookies have this one as a pick ‘em fight, we’re tipping the power of Pereira to carry all the way into the heavyweight division. Put simply, those 11 KOs from 13 wins are impossible to ignore, even with the champ moving up again. Chama.
Inside the UFC White House construction | 03:07
James Cooney: ILIA TOPURIA VIA R4 KO
As much as Gaethje’s violence-first approach solves problems for him, I don’t think it will help against Topuria. He’s looked next level so far in the UFC, and I think he eventually breaks Gaethje down and finds a finish in the second half of the fight.
James Cooney: CIRYL GANE VIA R2 KO
He’s a natural heavyweight, and I think Pereira will realise that the first time he gets clipped. Gane moves better than any heavyweight in the division, and that, combined with his hand speed, is going to cause serious problems for Pereira.