UFC White House results, highlights: Justin Gaethje wins lightweight title following bloody battle at Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 card

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• UFC Freedom 250 card results
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The front lawn of the White House will have a different look to it, as there will be an octagon on it. The UFC presents UFC Freedom 250, celebrating 250 years of America, on President Donald Trump’s birthday.

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In the main event, Ilia Topuria defends the UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje.

Topuria (17-0) is a two-division champion. He beat Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway at featherweight and Charles Oliveira at lightweight. The Georgian and Spanish fighter is back to competing after missing months due to a family matter.

Gaethje (27-5) is the current interim lightweight champion. “The Highlight” has won multiple Fight Night bonuses, and the former BMF champion is known for his hard-hitting shots.

The co-feature will see a massive heavyweight clash when Alex Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title.

Pereira (13-3) is a two-division champion who owns the record for the shortest time and fewest contests to win UFC gold (736 days/7 bouts). Gane (13-2, 1 NC) is 0-2 with one no-contest in UFC title fights. Pereira looks to make history, while Gane looks to once again hold interim gold.

Also on the card, former champion Sean O’Malley returns to action, as well as multi-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler. Heavyweights collide when Josh Hokit faces Derrick Lewis, while wrestling standout Bo Nickal competes on the White House lawn.

The Sporting News will provide results, analysis and highlights for UFC Freedom 250.

UFC White House results

• Justin Gaethje def. Ilia Topuria (c) via TKO for the UFC lightweight title (corner stoppage)
• Ciryl Gane def. Alex Pereira via TKO for the interim heavyweight title (1:27 into round two)
• Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi via TKO (4:02 into round two)
• Josh Hokit def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (4:09 into round two)
• Mauricio Ruffy def. Michael Chandler via TKO (4:29 into round one)
• Bo Nickal def. Kyle Daukaus via TKO (4:34 into round one)
• Diego Lopes def. Steve Garcia via KO (2:42 into round two)

UFC Freedom 250 live updates, highlights from White House card

Justin Gaethje beats a bloodied Ilia Topuria to win the UFC lightweight title

Topuria retired on his stool! 

Round four: Gaethje with uppercuts. A throw from Gaethje. Huge right from Gaethje. Topuria with a body shot and a right hand. Gaethje with an uppercut. Topuria is hurt. Uppercuts from Gaethje. Topuria had control on the floor. He tried to do it again, but Gaethje with a sprawl. Knee to the body from Gaethje. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje (39-37 Gaethje)

They were going to stop the fight. Both they let it go. An extra minute of recovery. Wild.

Round three: Topuria looked like he was getting tired. Gaethje landed a low kick and a right. Straight jabs from Gaethje. A two-piece: Jab and a right hand that dropped Topuria. Gaethje held him on the floor. Topuria was a bloody mess. Another right from Gaethje. Uppercut. Uppercut from Topuria. Right hand by both. Knee from Gaethje. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje (29-28 Gaethje)

Round two: Topuria with a leg kick. Gaethje and Topuria both landed in an exchange. Uppercut from Gaethje as Topuria went to the body. They exchanged jabs. Big right from Gaethje. Body shots from Topuria. By the cage, Topuria punished Gaethje with body shots. One to the liver. They exchanged shots. More body shots from Topuria. Down goes Gaethje following a liver shot. 

On full mount, Topuria tries for the armbar. He went for the triangle and back to the armbar. Topuria had side control but seemed tired. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Topuria (19-19)

Round one: Topuria was as calm as can be. Gaethje with an early jab. He landed a few more and an uppercut. Leg kick from Topuria. Right by Gaethje and a right by Topuria. Another big one from Topuria. Uppercut from Gaethje. High kick from Gaethje. Right from Topuria. Topuria with a clean right. His hands are fast. 

Uppercut from Gaethje, and Topuria is bleeding. A nice right hand from Gaethje. Another. High kick. Left hook on the inside by Topuria. Both were trading shots. Body shot from Topuria. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje

The main event is coming up. The dangerous Ilia Topuria returns to action, defending the UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. 

Ciryl Gane once again interim champion, ends Alex Pereira dreams of making history

Round two: Leg kick from Gane. Another takedown attempt. Down goes Pereira. Big elbows from Gane. Rights from Gane. Thought the fight was over. Big elbow. Big rights. Herb Dean finally calls the fight! 

GANE HITS POATAN EARLY IN ROUND 2!!! 🤯

[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/UopdVKr3bg

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

Round one: Pereirawith a high kick. Gane with a kick of his own. Another high leg kick. Pereira kept on going for the calf of Gane. Gane with jabs. He tried for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Front kick from Gane. Right hands from Gane connected. They traded kicks. Gane with fast hands. Low kick from Gane. Late connection from Pereira before the end of the round. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gane

The co-man event is up next. Can Alex Pereira become a three-division champion when he faces Ciryl Gane for interim heavyweight gold? 

Sean O’Malley with a clean KO win against Aiemann Zahabi

11:24 p.m. ET: Straight jab from O’Malley in round two. A right hand by Zahabi. He landed more leg kicks. Double jab from O’Malley. O’Malley was getting tagged with leg kicks. A right hand from O’Malley. Spinning kick from O’Malley. He landed a right. Zahabi with several more leg kicks. Big right by O’Malley. Big left jab took Zahabi down and then he landed a right to end the fight. He saluted right after. 

SUGA SEAN GETS A MASSIVE TKO IN ROUND 2!

[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE NOW ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/HfPZEJVP8q

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

11:17 p.m. ET: O’Malley pressed forward to start. They both tried for leg kicks. Zahabi looked stiff, like he couldn’t find the right moment to strike. O’Malley got hit with a left hook and some shots to the leg. Zahabi got hit with a body shot. Zahabi ran forward but O’Malley caught him with a right and a left. 

11:05 p.m. ET: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi is next. America vs. Canada. One of the most colorful personalities in MMA, O’Malley is back in action. Zahabi entered the octagon from the White House to «O Canada.»

Josh Hokit decimates Derrick Lewis

10:48 p.m. ET: Lewis looked slow from the start of the fight. He attempted a spinning knee. Big shot from Hokit. Takedown attempt. Lewis landed hard shots. They exchanged shots, with Hokit getting the better connections. Hokit was faster. He landed big rights. Hokit with massive rights and uppercuts. He was talking to Lewis. Down went Lewis after multiple shots and it was all over. 

JOSH HOKIT IS AN ABSOLUTE FORCE IN THE OCTAGON!

He takes out Derrick Lewis in R2 for a massive win!

[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/CPAP0tb9O9

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

10:43 p.m. ET: Hokit was moving around while Lewis was as still as can be. Hokit with leg kicks. He tripped when going for a spinning kick. Lewis tried to go for a big shot. He landed a leg kick. Right hand by Hokit. Hokit got a takedown. Side control and Hokit landed shots to a downed Lewis. Elbows connected. Lewis was cut on his head. Armbar. 

10:32 p.m. ET: Oh boy, buckle up. Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis is up next. Expect chaos. 

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Mauricio Ruffy lights up Michael Chandler on the White House lawn

10:10 p.m. ET: Spinning kick by Ruffy. Chandler got hit with a right hand that put him down after he went for a takedown. Body shot and uppercut by Ruffy. Ruffy made Chandler’s face turn red. Spinning kick. Elbow. Big right hand and the fight is over. 

MAURICIO RUFFY IS OFFICIALLY A PROBLEM!

He knocks out Michael Chandler in R1 at #UFCWhiteHouse!

[ LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ONpOS7yZ0L

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

10:04 p.m. ET: Chandler with a leg kick right away. Ruffy with a leg kick of his own. Big jab from Ruffy pushed Chandler back. Chandler wouldn’t commit to takedown attempts. Spinning back kick rom Ruffy. Right hand by Chandler. Ruffy had his hands down but that didn’t affect the fight. 

9:53 p.m. ET: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler is up next. Chandler, a former multi-time Bellator champion, waited years to face Conor McGregor. He never got the fight, but gets to compete on the White House lawn. I believe he’ll take the alternative. 

9:50 p.m. ET: Tyson Fury, who hasn’t been allowed back in the U.S. for years, made an appearance and teased a fight with Anthony Joshua, with Dana White part of the promotion. 

TYSON FURY IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE! 😱 #UFCWhiteHouse | Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/T8IbKjAJNh

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 15, 2026

THE ORIGIN

An epic fight for freedom since the beginning. pic.twitter.com/UCGJaovMFb

— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026

Passionate Bo Nickal takes out Kyle Daukaus

9:29 p.m. ET: Big right hand and elbows to a downed Daukaus and it’s all over. 

BO NICKAL DOESN’T NEED ANY TIME TO GRAB THE TKO!

[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/H61vYuZq8z

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

9:28 p.m. ET: Nickal tried for a straight shot to start. Daukaus pressed forward but Nickal grabbed him and dropped him to the floor. On top, Nickal landed a few lefts. Daukaus was bleeding. Nickal landed elbows. Referee Jason Herzog put the fighters to their feet. Nickal with a punch, but Daukaus landed one of his own. 

9:21 p.m. ET: One of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Bo Nickal, takes on Kyle Daukaus. The rare American vs. American fight tonight. 

Diego Lopes with a comeback win against Steve Garcia

9:05 p.m. ET: Garcia started round two by leading and landing jabs. Lopes landed a jab. Left landed to the face of Lopes. Left from Lopes. Combinations from Gacia. They exchanged shots. Down goes Garcia. Lopes landed hard shots and the fights over. 

WHAT A START TO THE NIGHT 😳@DiegoLopesMMA rose to the occasion and found the RD2 TKO!#UFCWhiteHouse LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus!

[ UFC Freedom 250 Presented by @Cryptocom & @RamTrucks ] pic.twitter.com/mxqJjOzUlY

— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026

8:59 p.m. ET: Lopes with a high kick to start. Garcia with an uppercut. He landed combinations. Lopes with a big shot of his own. They traded kicks. They landed at the same time in a while exchanged. Leg kick from Lopes. Leg kick to the chest of Lopes. Strong start for Garcia.

8:45 p.m. ET: We got fights! Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia opens the event.

8:40 p.m. ET: The U.S. Marine Band is part of the event. 

WE GOT A FLYOVER AT #UFCWhiteHouse 🛩️

[ LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/6pxbREiigi

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

8:26 p.m. ET: President Donald Trump and Dana White went through the Oval Office, all around the White House, and down to the octagon. Zac Brown Band performing the National Anthem. There was a flyover.

An entrance from the Oval Office 🦅

[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/cuyNFD5j1Y

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

8:05 p.m. ET: There was a live weather alert on the UFC broadcast. There will be a Shelter in Place if there’s wind and lightning. It will end 30 minutes for any lightning strike within 6 miles. 

A little delay before we get going tonight at #UFCWhiteHouse 🌧️

📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/W6F5JTMdM4

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026

8 p.m. ET: The Paramount+ broadcast has begun. 

BEFORE THE ROAR 👀 pic.twitter.com/b8ijO36NrF

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 14, 2026

7:25 p.m. ET: Weather reporters in the D.C. area say that rain and thunderstorms are expected in the area until past midnight. 

5 p.m. ET: At the moment, production for UFC Freedom 250 will start at 8 p.m. ET. The first fight may not be expected to start until 9 p.m. ET. 

Schedule Update: #UFCWhiteHouse live event coverage on @paramountplus will begin at 8pmET pic.twitter.com/qAdGdAbsHd

— UFC (@ufc) June 14, 2026

1 p.m. ET: the National Weather Service has the chance of storms at 63% at 8 p.m. ET. The Weather Channel forecasts a more optimistic 40% chance at 8 p.m. and 50% chance at 9 p.m. ET.

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News’ LIVE coverage of UFC Freedom 250!

MORE UFC WHITE HOUSE NEWS:

• UFC Freedom 250 weather updates
• UFC Freedom 250 predictions
• How much did it cost to build Freedom 250 stage?
• Why UFC Freedom 250 was invite-only for VIPs
• What to know about UFC 250 undercard

UFC Freedom 250 start time

• Date: Sunday, June 14
• Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
• Main event: 11 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. PT (approx)
• Location: White House — Washington, D.C.

UFC Freedom 250 is on the White House lawn on June 14 with the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET. The main event should start around 11:30 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

How to watch UFC White House fight card

• Live Stream: Paramount+

You can watch UFC Freedom 250 live on Paramount+, with both the prelims and main card available to stream in one place. The best part: UFC Freedom 250 does not require a pay-per-view purchase — you just need an active Paramount+ subscription.

Paramount+ plans

• Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported): $8.99/month or $89.99/year
• Paramount+ Premium (ad-free): $13.99/month or $139.99/year

Beyond UFC, Paramount+ includes a wide mix of live sports and programming, plus thousands of on-demand movies and shows, so you can stream events and entertainment on your phone, TV, or laptop.

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