UFC confirm start time and fight schedule for historic White House card
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed the start time and complete schedule for its unprecedented fight card set to take place at the White House on Sunday, 14 June.
The event, officially named UFC Freedom 250, is planned as a celebration marking 250 years of the United States.
It will be staged on the South Lawn in Washington D.C. and coincides with US president Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Action inside the Octagon will commence at 01:00 BST on Monday, 15 June (20:00 ET on Sunday, 14 June).
Title fights headline historic card
A lightweight title unification bout between undisputed champion Ilia Topuria and interim holder Justin Gaethje serves as the main event.
The co-main attraction features former middleweight king Alex Pereira stepping up to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt.
A heavyweight clash between fan-favourite Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit was also recently added to the landmark showcase.
UFC president Dana White revealed that the US leader personally requested the matchup while sitting cageside at an event in Miami last week.
I said, ‘Derrick, the president just asked me why you’re not on the card. Do you wanna fight on the White House card?’ And he goes: ‘Of course I do. Tell the president thank you, I wanna do it.’
Dana White
Fight week festivities and schedule
Build-up to the momentous occasion will feature a series of public events across the American capital.
A press conference is scheduled at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, 12 June, beginning at 01:30 BST the following morning.
Fans will then gather at the Ellipse park adjacent to the presidential residence for a festival on Saturday afternoon.
The ceremonial weigh-ins will follow that evening, culminating in a live concert performance by the Zac Brown Band.
Full UFC Freedom 250 fight card
Seven high-profile matchups have been officially confirmed for the unprecedented sporting spectacle.
- Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje (Lightweight title)
- Alex Pereira v Ciryl Gane (Interim Heavyweight title)
- Derrick Lewis v Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
- Sean O’Malley v Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
- Michael Chandler v Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
- Diego Lopes v Steve Garcia (Featherweight)
- Bo Nickal v Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
