UFC White House takes place in Washington, D.C. today, weather conditions permitting.
The long-discussed UFC Freedom 250 event is being held outside on the South Lawn of the famous office and residence of the sitting US president, where an octagon has been specially constructed beneath a towering 92-foot steel arch called the ‘Claw’ that weighs some 600 tonnes and is decorated in the colours of the American flag.
Around 4,300 spectators will be in attendance in temporary seating as the UFC heads to the White House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, while also marking the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, who will watch on at ringside.
The event - which has reportedly cost around $60million (£44.7m) to stage - looks set to go ahead despite a lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project last weekend in District of Columbia federal court, seeking an emergency injunction.
However, the weather could yet disrupt things, with rain, thunderstorms and searing heat forecast for Sunday in the US capital.
While not quite as star-studded as initially hoped, the card features plenty of intriguing fights and is headlined by the undefeated Ilia Topuria returning to defend his UFC lightweight title against two-time interim champion Justin Gaethje.
Former light-heavyweight and middleweight champion Alex Pereira moves up to heavyweight to battle Ciryl Gane for the interim crown, while ex-bantamweight titlist ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley takes on Aiemann Zahabi as he continues on the comeback trail following his successive losses to Merab Dvalishvili.
Derrick Lewis was added to the White House card by UFC president Dana White at Trump’s request, with Josh Hokit his opponent in another heavyweight showdown.
Michael Chandler is the underdog as he faces Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy, after a middleweight tussle between Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus.
The seven-fight card opens with Diego Lopes battling Steve Garcia after his latest unsuccessful featherweight title challenge against Alexander Volkanovski.
In addition to the 4,300 fight fans on the South Lawn, tens of thousands more people are expected to watch UFC Freedom 250 on giant screens at The Ellipse - a 52-acre park that lies just outside the White House, where entrance is free but tickets are required.
UFC White House date and venue
UFC Freedom 250 takes place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Sunday June 14, 2026.
It is the first professional sporting event ever to be staged at the White House.
UFC White House start time
The event gets under way at 8pm ET on Sunday night, which is 5pm PT and 7pm CT. It’s a familiar late-night affair for British fight fans, where it will be 1am BST on Monday morning.
UFC White House fight card
There are no prelim bouts scheduled at the White House, early or otherwise, with the extended main card instead comprised of seven total fights.
Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje - lightweight title bout
Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane - interim heavyweight title bout
Sean O’Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi - bantamweight bout
Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis - heavyweight bout
Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler - lightweight bout
Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus - middleweight bout
Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia - featherweight bout
How to watch UFC White House
TV channel and live stream: UFC Freedom 250 is being shown live in the USA via Paramount+.
In the UK, coverage is available on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 1am.
UFC White House weather forecast
The UFC’s grand show at the White House could yet be spoiled by the inclement weather conditions.
The current forecast for Sunday evening in Washington, D.C. is for heavy thunderstorms, with searing temperatures potentially reaching as high as 36 degrees Celsius during the day.
UFC White House odds
Ilia Topuria to win: 1/5
Justin Gaethje to win: 7/2
Alex Pereira to win: 9/10
Ciryl Gane to win: 9/10
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change).
