DZ
DefZone.Net

Kien thuc cong nghe & giai tri

Wiki Article

UFC Freedom 250

Nguồn dữ liệu từ Wikipedia, hiển thị bởi DefZone.Net

Xem trên WikipediaBài ngẫu nhiên khác
Not to be confused with UFC 250.
UFC Freedom 250
The poster for UFC Freedom 250
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateJune 14, 2026 (2026-06-14)
VenueWhite House
CityWashington, D.C., United States
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night 277 UFC Freedom 250

UFC Freedom 250 (also known as UFC White House) is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that is scheduled to take place on June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., United States.[1][2] The event's name is a reference to the America 250th anniversary in the United States.[3]

Background

[edit]

Origins and announcement

[edit]
The South Lawn of the White House will host the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence.[4]

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the UFC plans to hold a historic mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026.[1] While initial reports suggested a July 4th date, the event was later rescheduled for June due to logistical reasons.[5] The weigh-ins are expected to take place at the Lincoln Memorial.[2]

The event will represent the promotion's third visit to Washington, D.C., and first since UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik in December 2019.[6] During a speech at Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, 2025, President Trump announced that the event would take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday, as well as the Flag Day holiday.[7] The card is expected to air on Paramount+, with a limited number of preliminary bouts also broadcast on CBS.[8]

The event was first announced by President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds:[9]

Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White. We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there. Dana’s going to do it. Dana’s great, one of a kind. We’re going to have a UFC fight, a championship fight, like full fight, 20, 25,000 people and we’re going to do that as part of 250 also.

— Donald Trump

On August 29, 2025, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed via social media that plans for the event had been finalized, stating, "We had the meeting at the White House... The White House fight is on."[10] The announcement followed President Trump's remarks at the rally, where he referenced his long-standing friendship with White. Trump has frequently attended UFC events in recent years, including UFC 316 in New Jersey, where several fighters greeted him cageside.[9]

The event name, UFC Freedom 250, was formally announced during the UFC 326 broadcast on March 7, 2026.[11]

Logistics and planning

[edit]

In September 11, 2025 interview, White stated that the seating capacity would be under 5,000 due to security concerns, a significant reduction from Trump’s earlier estimate of 20,000 to 25,000 attendees. White also mentioned plans to install large screens at The Ellipse capable of hosting up to 85,000 spectators for a public viewing experience.[12] In a February 2026 interview, TKO Group Holdings CEO Ari Emanuel stated that there would be 3,000 to 4,000 people in attendance.[13] Approximately 1,000 seats are reportedly being reserved for members of the military.[14]

Budget and production

[edit]

The promotion is expected to cover the full cost of the event, including roughly $700,000 to restore the South Lawn after use, and no public tickets will be made available.[15][16] In January 2026, it was reported that no taxpayer funding is being sought, and the overall expense of the event is projected to exceed the $21 million budget required to stage UFC 306's Sphere show in September 2024.[17][18] In February 2026, it was estimated the cost rose to $60 million.[19] TKO president Mark Shapiro stated that the event is not expected to turn a profit, with the goal being to recoup approximately half of the total cost through sponsors and new partnerships.[20]

Regulation

[edit]

Marc Ratner, the UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, revealed that because the White House grounds are federal property, the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission will not regulate the event. The UFC is expected to self‑regulate, as the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for oversight of such events within the district.[21]

If victorious, Alex Pereira will be the first fighter to win a UFC title in three different divisions.

Fight card planning

[edit]

Scheduled fights

[edit]

In a February 2026 interview, Ari Emanuel said the event would feature six or seven fights and be simulcast on CBS and Paramount+.[13] Dana White stated at the UFC 326 pre-fight press conference on March 5, 2026, that the full card would be announced during the event's broadcast, and the UFC went on to reveal it during the show.[22]

A UFC Lightweight Championship title unification bout between current champion and former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria and current two-time interim champion (also a former WSOF Lightweight Champion) Justin Gaethje is scheduled to headline the event.[23]

An interim UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between reigning two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira (who also previously held the UFC Middleweight Championship, Glory Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Championship) and former interim champion Ciryl Gane is scheduled to serve as the co-main event. Pereira is scheduled to vacate his title in April in order to move up and challenge for the heavyweight title.[24] Current champion Tom Aspinall is unable to compete following an eye injury suffered during his title defense against Gane in October 2025 at UFC 321.[25]

The following fights are expected to complete the fight card:[26]

Contract discussions and fighter availability

[edit]

Dana White stated during the post-fight press conference for UFC 326 in March 2026 that, although there had been discussions between the promotion and Jon Jones, a former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight and one-time Heavyweight Champion, he was never considered as a potential headliner for the event.[27] Days later, Jones disputed White's comments, stating that he had been in negotiations with the UFC in the days leading up to the announcement.[28] He also publicly requested his release from the promotion.[29]

In addition, Topuria and his manager stated that he had been offered current UFC Welterweight Champion (also former lightweight champion) Islam Makhachev as a potential opponent before the bout with Gaethje was finalized.[30] According to Topuria, he selected Makhachev as his preferred opponent and expressed interest in moving up to challenge for the welterweight title in an attempt to become the first three-division champion in UFC history, but Makhachev informed UFC officials that an injury prevented him from competing.[31]

Fight card

[edit]
Fight card (Paramount+)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Justin Gaethje (ic) [a]
Heavyweight Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane [b]
Bantamweight Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Lightweight Maurício Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
Middleweight Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
Featherweight Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
  1. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.
  2. ^ For the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship.

[32]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Shakiel Mahjouri (2025-08-29). "UFC CEO Dana White confirms event at White House is on after meeting with Trump administration". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  2. ^ a b Elizabeth Crisp (2025-09-05). "White House UFC event set for June, weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial". thehill.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  3. ^ Paul Battison (2026-03-08). "Pereira to fight for third title at UFC White House". bbc.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  4. ^ Mike Heck (2025-08-29). "Dana White: UFC White House event 'is on'". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  5. ^ Ryan Morik (2025-09-05). "UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  6. ^ Adam Wells (2025-07-18). "Dana White Says 'Badass' UFC White House Event Will be 'a 1-of-1 Experience' in Video". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  7. ^ Staff (2025-10-06). "President Trump reveals UFC White House event will happen on his 80th birthday". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  8. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2025-12-12). "Dana White reveals broadcast plans for UFC White House card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  9. ^ a b Damon Martin (2025-07-04). "President Trump reveals plans to hold a UFC event at the White House in 2026". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  10. ^ Jack Baer (2025-08-31). "UFC CEO Dana White says White House card is officially happening after meeting with Trump administration". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  11. ^ Brett Okamoto (2026-03-07). "UFC's White House card to be led by Topuria-Gaethje, Pereira-Gane". espn.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  12. ^ Shakiel Mahjouri (2025-09-11). "UFC CEO Dana White capacity will be limited for event at White House, but has plans for fans to attend nearby". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  13. ^ a b Andreas Hale (2026-02-06). "UFC White House event will have 6-7 fights, TKO says". espn.com. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  14. ^ Damon Martin (2026-02-24). "UFC reportedly spending 'as much as $60 million' to produce White House event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  15. ^ Jed Meshew (2025-10-02). "UFC will spend $700,000 replacing White House lawn". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  16. ^ Damon Martin (2025-12-11). "UFC White House card won't have tickets for sale but expect 'spectacle on steroids' bigger than the Sphere". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  17. ^ Adam Stern (2026-01-26). "White: UFC to pay for entire White House card; no taxpayer funds being sought". sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  18. ^ Aaditya Krishnamurthy (2026-01-23). "Dana White reveals UFC White House event costs more than $20 million Las Vegas Sphere event". hitc.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  19. ^ Kim Masters (2026-02-24). "Trump's UFC math problem and Rob Reiner's MAGA partner". puck.news. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  20. ^ Matthew Wells (2026-02-26). "TKO exec firmly states UFC will not profit from White House event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  21. ^ Mike Bohn, George Garcia and Brian Garcia (2026-01-30). "Marc Ratner: UFC may self-regulate White House card due to 'federal land'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  22. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2026-03-07). "Dana White: UFC White House card to be announced Saturday night, 6-7 fights expected". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  23. ^ Damon Martin (2026-03-08). "Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlines UFC White House card, full event announced". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  24. ^ Mike Bohn (2026-03-07). "Alex Pereira-Ciryl Gane interim title fight set for UFC White House". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  25. ^ Mike Johnston (2026-02-14). "Tom Aspinall gives harrowing update on eyes, fighting future after surgery". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  26. ^ Fernando Quiles Jr (2026-03-07). "UFC Freedom 250 White House Card Revealed, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje Headlines". newsweek.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  27. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2026-03-09). "Jon Jones requests UFC release, disputing Dana White's stance on health, White House negotiations". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  28. ^ Damon Martin (2026-03-08). "Dana White: Jon Jones was 'never, ever, ever' going to headline UFC White House card, 'very fair' to consider him retired". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  29. ^ Griffin Senyek (2026-03-10). "Jon Jones: UFC 'Lowballed' Him on White House Card, Seeks Release". frontofficesports.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  30. ^ William Goodson (2026-03-10). "Ilia Topuria accuses Islam Makhachev of ducking UFC White House fight". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  31. ^ Brian Campbell (2026-03-10). "Ilia Topuria accuses Islam Makhachev of ducking him for White House fight, Makhachev responds". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  32. ^ "UFC Freedom 250". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2026-03-07.