Two UFC champions fight for their titles this Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C., in what the sport is billing as the biggest event in its 33-year history. UFC Freedom 250 features a seven-bout main card starting at approximately 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
The main event is a lightweight title unification bout between champion Ilia Topuria and two-time interim champion Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira defends against Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight interim title fight. The card marks only the second time in UFC history that two active multi-division champions have appeared on the same card.
According to CBS Sports, Topuria enters as the heavy favorite. At DraftKings Sportsbook, he is listed at -520, meaning a bettor would need to risk $520 to win $100. Gane is a -115 favorite over Pereira in the co-main event.
Topuria, 29, carries a 17-0 record into Sunday's fight. He became the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to win a UFC title and is currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC's men's pound-for-pound rankings. He has won seven fights by knockout, eight by submission, and two by decision. Multiple outlets named him Fighter of the Year for 2024. He is coming off a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June and holds the distinction of being the first two-division champion with an undefeated record.
Gaethje, 37, fights out of Denver and holds a 27-5 career record with 20 wins by knockout. He earned his title shot with a unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 this past January. His nickname is "The Highlight," a nod to his habit of producing memorable, high-action fights. CBS Sports noted that Gaethje averages one bonus every time he steps into the Octagon.
Below the two title fights, the undercard carries considerable weight on its own. The most anticipated non-title fight matches heavyweight Josh Hokit against all-time knockout leader Derrick Lewis. Hokit has risen from unranked to a top-five heavyweight in seven weeks. He stirred attention at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference by calling out Pereira, effectively placing a future heavyweight title fight in the public conversation. An NFL veteran, Hokit brings a collegiate wrestling base and heavy hands to a style CBS Sports described as unrefined but potent.
Lewis remains one of the sport's most popular fighters. His best days may be behind him, but his power has not faded. A knockout finish is considered likely in either direction, and a title shot could follow for the winner.
Another fight drawing attention is Mauricio Ruffy against Michael Chandler. Chandler, a three-time Bellator champion, was brought into the UFC as a title-fight backup before he ever competed in the Octagon and nearly won the lightweight belt in just his second UFC appearance.
