UFC Freedom 250 event set for White House lawn

Card features title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The UFC has announced the full six-fight card for its upcoming Freedom 250 event, set to take place on June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. The event is part of President Donald Trump's celebration of America's 250th birthday and will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.

Why it matters

The UFC Freedom 250 event represents a unique collaboration between the White House and the UFC, bringing professional MMA to the nation's capital in a high-profile celebration of American independence. The event is expected to draw significant media attention and public interest.

The details

The Freedom 250 card will feature six fights, including the heavyweight title bout between Pereira and Gane. Other notable matchups include a women's strawweight title fight and a lightweight bout. Though former UFC champions Jon Jones and Conor McGregor had teased their participation, they did not make the final card.

  • The Freedom 250 event is scheduled for June 14, 2026.
  • The event was originally planned for July 4, 2026, but was moved to June 14.

The players

Alex Pereira

A Brazilian MMA fighter who is challenging for the UFC heavyweight interim title.

Ciryl Gane

The current UFC heavyweight interim champion, defending his title against Pereira.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who announced the plan for a UFC event to be held on the White House grounds.

Dana White

The president of the UFC, who confirmed that Jon Jones was never considered for the Freedom 250 card.

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What they’re saying

“Though former UFC champions Jon Jones and Conor McGregor both teased their participation in the Freedom 250, neither made the card.”

— Dana White, President of the UFC (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The UFC will continue to promote the Freedom 250 event in the lead-up to the June 14 date, with more details on the full fight card and undercard bouts expected to be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

The UFC Freedom 250 event represents a unique collaboration between the White House and the UFC, bringing professional MMA to the nation's capital in a high-profile celebration of American independence. The event is expected to draw significant media attention and public interest, though the absence of some high-profile fighters like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor may temper expectations.