The UFC launched the long-awaited struggle card for the upcoming occasion on the White Home on Saturday, March 8.
The cardboard options six fights, together with two title bouts. The occasion — dubbed “UFC Freedom Fights 250” — is a part of the 250th anniversary celebrations for america.
Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will compete for the UFC light-weight title, Alex Pereira will meet Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, and Bo Nickal will struggle Kyle Daukaus.
Nickal is a former NCAA wrestling champion who has a robust relationship with President Donald Trump.
After a virtually decade-long retirement, Ronda Rousey is coming again to MMA. The previous UFC bantamweight champion introduced her return in a press release to ESPN on Tuesday, February 17, revealing she is going to sq. off in opposition to fellow retired legend Gina Carano in Could. “Been ready so lengthy to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna (…)
Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia rounds out the cardboard.
The occasion will happen on June 14, 2026 and has been within the works for greater than six months. UFC CEO Dana Whitewhose connections with Trump helped arrange this occasion, admitted that reserving fighters was a problem.
“This card was much more tough to place collectively than we had anticipated, however we received it performed,” White mentioned to Joe Rogan on Saturday. “A struggle fell out final evening. The matchmaking staff was actually within the workplace all evening final evening engaged on this factor.”
Dana White.
Monica Schipper/Getty PicturesTwo notable fighters lacking from the cardboard are Jon Jones and Conor McGregorwho each beforehand confirmed curiosity in collaborating within the occasion.
White mentioned Jones was by no means in rivalry to be included within the card, regardless of the fighter simply final week suggesting that he was in negotiations to struggle.
“The Jon Jones factor is bulls—,” White mentioned. “I’m not saying they weren’t speaking to Jon Jones and that Jon Jones wasn’t within the struggle. What was even crazier was Jon Jones got here out and was like, ‘I’m in negotiations proper now for the White Home card,’ after I had already despatched a textual content to his lawyer saying, ‘By no means going to occur ever.’”
He continued, “By no means, ever, ever — which I informed you guys 100,000 occasions — was Jon Jones ever even remotely in my thoughts to struggle on the White Home. He’s received arthritis in his hips. Apparently, he’s had docs say that he wants a hip substitute.”
McGregor, then again, appears to be extra more likely to return to the ring quickly, even when it’s not for the June occasion on the White Home.
“We’re positively speaking to Conor,” White mentioned.
McGregor hasn’t fought in UFC since he broke his leg throughout a 2021 match in opposition to Dustin Poirier.