UFC Adds Heavyweight Clash to UFC Freedom 250 After Wild UFC 327 Fight

Dana White books Derrick Lewis vs. Josh Hokit for June 14 event in Washington D.C.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:20am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action and physicality of a UFC heavyweight fight, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of dark grays, blues, and reds.The UFC's decision to add a high-stakes heavyweight bout to its UFC Freedom 250 card reflects the promotion's commitment to delivering an unforgettable event for fight fans.Today in Miami

Following a thrilling heavyweight fight between Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in Miami, UFC President Dana White has added a bout between Hokit and former interim title challenger Derrick Lewis to the UFC Freedom 250 card on June 14 in Washington D.C. The event will also feature a series of fan festivities throughout the weekend, including a pre-fight press conference at the Lincoln Memorial and a UFC X-style fan experience at The Ellipse.

Why it matters

The UFC Freedom 250 event is set to be one of the biggest in promotional history, coinciding with the 47th U.S. President Donald Trump's birthday. The addition of the heavyweight clash between the surging Hokit and the veteran Lewis adds even more star power to an already stacked card.

The details

At UFC 327, Hokit earned a decision victory over fellow heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes in a fight that White called one of the best in the division's recent history. Immediately after the bout, White announced that Hokit would be facing Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, with both fighters agreeing to the matchup shortly after.

  • UFC 327 took place on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
  • UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled for June 14, 2026 in Washington D.C.

The players

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Josh Hokit

An undefeated heavyweight fighter who earned a decision victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.

Derrick Lewis

A veteran heavyweight fighter and former UFC interim title challenger.

Curtis Blaydes

A heavyweight contender who lost to Josh Hokit at UFC 327.

Donald Trump

The 47th President of the United States, whose birthday is being celebrated at the UFC Freedom 250 event.

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What they’re saying

“The fight had been made '10 minutes' after Hokit's victory and that both had agreed to the fight shortly thereafter.”

— Dana White, UFC President

What’s next

Tickets for UFC Freedom 250 will be released to the general public nine days from now and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The takeaway

The addition of the heavyweight clash between the rising Hokit and the veteran Lewis to the UFC Freedom 250 card further solidifies the event as one of the biggest in UFC history, as the promotion looks to capitalize on the star power of both fighters and the celebration of President Trump's birthday.