"The event, also titled "Freedom 250," will feature a pair of championship tilts including one unification match and another for an interim strap. The bout that will headline the June 14 show on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C., will be one rumored for some time: Ilia Topuria (17-0) vs. Justin Gaethje (27-5) for the undisputed lightweight championship."
"Topuria serves as one of a small number of two-division champions in organizational history, as he picked up the featherweight strap in 2024 by sparking Alexander Volkanovski with one punch atop UFC 298. He defended that throne once by icing Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main attraction, and vacated that belt to move to 155 pounds."
""The Highlight" Gaethje secured interim gold for the second time when he beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January, reaching the status he previously achieved when smashing Tony Ferguson for that interim belt back in 2020. A 15-fight UFC veteran, the Arizonan has earned 15 post-fight bonus awards for his thrilling performances since joining the roster in 2017."
The UFC revealed its complete card for the White House event, titled "Freedom 250," during UFC 326's broadcast. The headline bout features Ilia Topuria, a two-division champion, defending the undisputed lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. Topuria won the featherweight championship in 2024 by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, defended it once against Max Holloway, then vacated it to move to lightweight where he defeated Charles Oliveira for the vacant title. Gaethje secured interim lightweight gold by defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January, marking his second interim title. The event will include two championship matches, with one being an interim title bout and another unification match.
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