It’s been a year in the making, with America’s 250th birthday serving as its backdrop, but the UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House has arrived.
The fight is being held in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
According to the Trump administration, it is a coincidence that the fight will be held on June 14, which is observed annually as Flag Day and will also mark the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump.
UFC Freedom 250 also comes as Trump has announced the end of the United States’ war with Iran, just hours before the fight is scheduled to start.
Sec. of State Marco Rubio hosted UFC CEO Dana White at the White House on June 12 for a special signing ceremony.
“Sunday is an unbelievable, historic, I think never-to-be-repeated — until next year — experience for the American people,” Rubio stated.
He then went on to say:
“The White House is the people’s house. It belongs to the people of the United States. The America250 celebration belongs to the people of the United States, and there are millions and millions of Americans from all walks of life that are not necessarily attuned to politics or the financial markets, or anything else, but they love this sport … For them to be able to see this event with their White House in the background, as part of our celebration as a country and our 250 years, I think, is a gift to the American people. That’s what Sunday is about.”
Rubio added, “They’re going to see their White House, and their Capitol, on their nation’s birthday, celebrating with an historic event.”
Start Of Fight Begins Despite Rain Delay
The broadcast of the fight began at 8 p.m., as scheduled, with commentators speaking from inside the White House.
Currently, it is 81° in Washington, D.C., with rainy conditions.
The fight was set back on a rain delay, set to start at 9 p.m. The first fighters walked out into the Octagon at approximately 8:52 p.m.
Despite the delay, President Trump joined UFC CEO Dana White to enter “the Claw” from inside the White House.
Following the National Anthem, which was sung by Zac Brown, Trump sat with his family octagon-side.
Watch his grand entrance, here:
President Donald Trump and UFC President Dana White have arrived for UFC Freedom 250! 🇺🇸 #UFCWhiteHouse Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/nB7ektdEzJ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 15, 2026
UFC fights are usually not held outdoors, so the White House is a unique venue for the sport, in general. If conditions worsen, there is a chance that a shelter-in-place will be activated, with the order to shelter being lifted 30 minutes after the last lightning strike in a 6-mile radius from the White House.
Watch the initial report on the rain delay, here:
🚨 The UFC broadcast just provided a weather update and confirmed the event is officially under a rain delay
The primary concern is high winds and lightning, but they currently see things clearing up by 9PM ET #UFCWhiteHousepic.twitter.com/TrmYwD0C8c
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 15, 2026
About The Fights
Competitors entered the ring from the Oval Office, taking advantage of the historic venue.
The headlining fight of UFC Freedom 250 will be between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who are vying to prove their dominance as lightweight champions.
A heavyweight fight will also be held, featuring Alex Pereira against Ciryl Gane.
Here is the full fight lineup:
- Main event (lightweight title bout): (C) Ilia Topuria vs. No. 1 Justin Gaethje;
- Co-main event (interim heavyweight title bout): No. 2 Alex Pereira vs. No. 1 Ciryl Gane;
- Bantamweight bout: No. 3 Sean O’Malley vs. No. 6 Aiemann Zahabi;
- Heavyweight bout: No. 5 Josh Hokit vs. No. 9 Derrick Lewis;
- Lightweight bout: No. 9 Mauricio Ruffy vs. No. 13 Michael Chandler;
- Middleweight bout: Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus; and
- Featherweight bout: No. 2 Diego Lopes vs. No. 9 Steve Garcia.
Who Won The Fights At The White House?
Starting with the featherweight fight, Diego Lopes bested Steve Garcia by knockout at 2:42 minutes in Round 2.
The middleweight fight saw Bo Nickal knockout Kyle Daukaus in Round 1.
“First and foremost, gotta thank President Trump for making this happen,” Bo said while speaking with Joe Rogan after his victory.
Bo then quoted John 10:10, in which Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Watch Bo speak with Trump (who is beside First Lady Melania Trump) after his victory, here:
Bo Nickal gets the Round 1 knockout and then heads straight over to President Trump.
“This wouldn’t be possible without you.”
An emphatic finish followed by a moment that will have everyone talking.@UFC @realDonaldTrump#UFC #MMA #UFCWhiteHouse #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/zTV8Gzr6Bd
— Chris (@Fiddleaboon) June 15, 2026
In the lightweight bout, Mauricio Ruffy defeated Michael Chandler in Round 1 at 4:29 minutes.
Speaking with Joe Rogan, Mauricio thanked God, and quoted John 3:16, saying, “Jesus changed my life, Jesus saved my life … Give your life to Jesus.”
Watch Ruffy recite John 3:16, here:
Mauricio Ruffy after winning has a message for everyone!
“John 3 :16 says For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jesus saved my life, he wants to save your life too. Give your life to… pic.twitter.com/pynsIPX5sE
— J (@JayTC53) June 15, 2026
Ruffy then proposed to his girlfriend from inside the Octagon, and she said “yes.”
In the heavyweight match, Josh Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis, expressing praise for Jesus amid some more controversial sentiments.
“Shoutout to Trump for having the balls to put this s*** on,” Hokit stated.
Provocatively, Hokit then also stated, “Michelle Obama is a man.”
See Josh’s controversial remark about the former First Lady, here:
No way Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama a man 😭#UFCWhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/uENvE5HVAS
— Bones🦴 (@Boness305) June 15, 2026
In the bantamweight bout, Sean O’Malley bested Aiemann Zahabi in Round 2 at 4:42 minutes.
Introductions for the main fights were highly patriotic, featuring iconic presidential speeches, ranging from FDR, JFK, Barack Obama, and Trump.
For the co-main event, which determined the interim-heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane won.
He defeated Alex Pereira in minute 1:27 of Round 2.
During the main event, which was a lightweight title bout, Ilia Topuria had Justin Gaethje pinned.
At one point, the crowd started chanting “U-S-A” to encourage Justin, who hails from Arizona.
In Round 3, Topuria was surprisingly overtaken by Justin, and the two fighters continued to brawl until Topuria tried to overpower Justin. This backfired against Topuria, as Justin took the victory as Topuria retired at the stool.
“One of the great upsets in the history of the sport,” Joe Rogan said.
After the fight, Trump could be seen speaking with Justin, and he could be heard saying, “That was really tough.”
Donald Trump gongratulates Justin Gaethje, after one of the biggets upsets in UFC history. #UFCWhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/YGmxZY0uGm
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) June 15, 2026
Justin Gaethje is now the undisputed lightweight world champion.
