Sports

UFC Freedom 250 at White House: When it Starts, Octagon Walk Times, and Fight Previews

By Michael Aldon Athlon Sports

Updated June 14, 2026 2:39 AM

For the first time in history, the UFC Octagon touches down on the South Lawn of the White House. Today, June 14, UFC Freedom 250 takes over the nation's capital, combining a historic setting with a championship double-header.

As President Donald Trump celebrates his 80th birthday, the world will watch a seven-fight UFC card on White House property. Here is everything you need to know about when the fights start, how to catch the walkouts, and what to expect from the stacked undercard.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 06: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office alongside UFC Freedom 250 fighters Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Justin Gaethje, and Ciryl Gane at the White House on May 06, 2026 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

When it Starts

The entire event is available exclusively via live stream on Paramount+. The card is relatively short, with only seven fights total, meaning there are no preliminary fights.

(L-R) Lightweights Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje face off during the UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference at The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Main Card Start Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

Main Event (Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje - Undisputed Lightweight Title) Start Time: Estimated fighter walk time at ~10:45 p.m. ET/ 7:45 p.m. PT

Co-Main Event (Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane - Interim Heavyweight title) Start Time: Estimated fighter walk time at ~10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Note: These times may shift depending on the length of the earlier undercard fights.

Full Fight Card

Here is the complete lineup for the UFC Freedom 250 fights starting from the main event, to the very first fight.

Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC Lightweight Championship – Unification)
Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane (Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship)
Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)
Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia (Featherweight)

Fight Breakdowns

For a full breakdown of the main event between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, read our "How to Watch " article here.

Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane (Interim Heavyweight Title)

This is a battle of two strikers with vastly different styles.

Alex "Poatan" Pereira (13-3) is attempting to become a three-division champion after vacating the light heavyweight belt. Pereira is a bona fide knockout artist who moves forward and seeks to cut off the cage using his footwork. He corrals his opponents with stiff jabs, a killer right calf kick, and ultimately looks for a power left hook.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 06: (L-R) Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane face off on the South Lawn in front of the White House Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

His last fight against Magomed Ankalaev, however, saw him drop the former champ with a right hook instead, proving he has precision and power in both hands:

Ciryl Gane (13-2, 1 NC) is a former interim champion known for his elusive kickboxing and footwork. A Muay Thai practitioner, Gane is comfortable fighting off his back foot, intercepting forward-moving opponents like Pereira with sharp, well-timed jabs and front kicks to the body.

Gane, however, has gained notoriety for committing fouls, as he eyepoked the heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, resulting in a "No Contest" and forcing Aspinall to get eye surgery.

Britain's Tom Aspinall reacts after being hit in the eye while fighting France's Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 26, 2025. GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

The winner is expected to face the injured Aspinall to unify the heavyweight division.

Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)

This is a pivotal matchup in the 135-pound division. Sean O'Malley (19-3, 1 NC), the flashy former champion, is looking to build momentum after snapping a two-fight losing streak in a gutsy win over Song Yadong.

(L-R) Sean O'Malley and Aiemann Zahabi face off during a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial Al Drago/Getty Images Al Drago/Getty Images

He faces a benchmark test in Aiemann Zahabi (14-2), the brother of famed Tristar coach Firas Zahabi. The Canadian standout is riding a seven-fight winning streak that includes victories over Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera. In addition to his brother in his corner, Georges St. Pierre will also be joining the coaching team.

Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)

Derrick Lewis (29-13, 1 NC), the UFC's all-time knockout leader (16 KOs), returns to the Octagon against the rising heavyweight star, Josh Hokit.

Josh Hokit and Derrick Lewis during the ceremonial weigh-ins for the UFC Freedom 250 fight. Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Despite his latest Octagon outing resulting in a knockout loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Lewis remains a dangerous opponent given his knockout ability (via UFC on YouTube):

He faces a rising threat in Josh Hokit (9-0), the undefeated former football player who remains undefeated in MMA. Hokit has been engaging in pre-fight antics in order to promote the event and disturb Lewis.

Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler (Lightweight)

Michael Chandler (23-10), the former three-time Bellator champion known for his insane pace and wrestling, is desperate to snap a three-fight losing streak. Standing in his way is a dangerous and dynamic Brazilian striker, Mauricio Ruffy (13-2).

(L-R) Mauricio Ruffy and Michael Chandler Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images Andrew Leyden/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ruffy earned Knockout of the Year honors in 2025 for his finish of King Green (via UFC Español on YouTube):

Ruffy will look to use the spotlight to launch into the top five, while Chandler looks to prove he still belongs in the division's top 10.

Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)

Bo Nickal (8-1), the three-time NCAA wrestling champion, is trying to prove he is a future contender.

(L-R) Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus face off Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

He will need to use his wrestling pedigree to stop the well-rounded style of Kyle Daukaus (17-4, 1 NC), who enters the bout on a six-fight winning streak. If Nickal wins, he likely enters the official middleweight rankings for the first time.

Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia (Featherweight)

Featherweight contenders collide in the opening bout.

Diego Lopes (27-8), ranked no. 2 in the featherweight division, is a fan favorite known for his submission skills and power punching. He looks to rebound from two title fight losses to Alexander Volkanovski.

(L-R) Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia face off. Al Drago/Getty Images Al Drago/Getty Images

Standing across from him is the dangerous No. 9-ranked Steve Garcia (19-5), who brings a seven-fight win streak and serious knockout power into the White House.

This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 2:26 AM.