The UFC made history on Sunday night by bringing mixed martial arts to the South Lawn of the White House for the first-ever event of its kind — and the action delivered. UFC Freedom 250 mixed championship fights, dramatic finishes and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in front of an invite-only crowd in Washington, D.C.
In the main event, Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career by defeating Ilia Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion. After surviving early pressure, Gaethje turned the fight around with relentless striking before Topuria’s corner stopped the contest before the fifth round.
The co-main event also delivered a major moment as Ciryl Gane stopped Alex Pereira in the second round to claim the interim heavyweight title and deny Pereira’s bid to become the UFC’s first three-division champion.
Elsewhere on the card, Sean O’Malley returned in style with a stoppage victory, while Diego Lopes and Bo Nickal added highlight-reel finishes to a night packed with action.
Despite weather concerns and unusual challenges linked to hosting an outdoor event at the White House, UFC Freedom 250 delivered one of the most unique spectacles in combat sports history — and a night fans are unlikely to forget anytime soon.
