UFC Freedom 250 is finally here as fight fans will lay witness to combat sports history as Dana White pulls off the unimaginable feat of hosting MMA fights on the South Lawn of the White House within the nation’s capital. 14 total fighters will make the walk to the newly built arena, competing and performing in front of military personnel, veterans, and everything of the American people.
The highest of the cardboard will see two title bouts as Alex Pereira makes his long-awaited move to heavyweight to challenge No. 1 contender Ciryl Gane for the interim Heavyweight Championship. The Fundamental Event will feature a unification bout for the Lightweight Championship as Ilia Topuria looks to finish his dominance in two divisions by facing former lightweight champ and fan-favorite Justin Gaethje.
The fights will happen Sunday, June 14 from the White House in Washington D.C. at 8:00 p.m. ET. Within the meantime, ClutchPoints’ UFC experts Garrett Kerman and Dominik Zawartko will make their educated predictions for every matchup.
UFC Freedom 250: Expert predictions
Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
Kerman: “This has the makings of Fight of the Night between these two dynamic finishers. Lopes is coming off his second title attempt and looked worse than he did in his first attempt at dethroning Alexander Volkanovski. Meanwhile, Garcia is peaking at the correct time, stringing together seven wins in a row with six finishes. While this often is the biggest step up in his profession, I believe the time is now for Garcia to make his move at the highest of the division and put the favourite Diego Lopes away midway through the fight.” Prediction: Steve Garcia wins by KO/TKO
Zawartko: “Steve Garcia is a robust dark horse here, but it will definitely be the hardest fight of his profession against Lopes. This fight needs to be determined by the primary few takedown attempts and the way easily Lopes is in a position to get Garcia on the bottom. If he struggles, it would not be surprising to see Garcia construct an enormous lead within the striking numbers, making it harder for Lopes to stay competitive. Expect an especially close bout that hits the judges’ scorecards.” Prediction: Garcia wins by Split Decision
Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
Kerman: “Nickal’s explosive entries, top pressure, and increasingly confident striking give him more immediate ending upside within the early going. Nevertheless, Daukaus is dangerous within the very transitions Nickal leans on, especially along with his D’Arce/Brabo chokes and willingness to grind along the fence. Ultimately, the most definitely script sees Nickal winning the wrestling battles often enough to bank minutes and damage. Daukaus may have moments, particularly in clinch exchanges and late scrambles, but Nickal’s athletic edge and control should carry on the cards.” Prediction: Nickal wins by Unanimous Decision
Zawartko: “Bo Nickal comes into this bout because the -325 betting favorite for good reason as he should give you the option to completely dominate along with his wrestling if this fight hits the mat. While Kyle Daukaus fights behind more experience and is crafty on the bottom along with his submission attempts, expect Nickal to only keep evolving after his head kick knockout over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322. I believe Nickal gets this fight to the bottom and ultimately locks in a submission finish with the rear naked choke or an arm triangle from the highest.” Prediction: Nickal wins by Submission
Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
Kerman: “The most definitely script sees Chandler having dangerous pockets of success early, but Ruffy regularly dialing in his timing and carving up an increasingly hittable veteran. As Chandler slows and continues to force exchanges, the Brazilian’s precision and shot selection should discover a decisive opening. Mauricio Ruffy keeps his streak alive with a late KO/TKO after surviving some early Chandler storm.” Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy wins by KO/TKO
Zawartko: “Michael Chandler suffered three-straight losses against a few of the most effective fighters within the division, now facing one other prospect with all of the momentum at his back. Ruffy solidified himself as the actual cope with a knockout over Rafael Fiziev, further growing his stock and arriving as probably the most dynamic finishers within the UFC right away. Chandler needs to be walking into Ruffy’s offense all night and it will only be a matter of time before the Brazilian lands and ends this one early.” Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy wins by KO/TKO
Derrick Lewis vs. Josh Hokit
Kerman: “This needs to be a fun one for nevertheless long it lasts. The surging Josh Hokit has the tools to develop into the heavyweight champion, especially if he utilizes all of his skillset within the Octagon. He’s going to must be weary concerning the one-hitter-quitter that Lewis possesses and I consider he uses that collegiate wrestling background to take Lewis down and finish the job inside two rounds and remain unbeaten.” Prediction: Josh Hokit wins by KO/TKO
Zawartko: “While Derrick Lewis will at all times stand a likelihood along with his all-time great knockout ability, he’s clearly struggled with this latest crop of versatile heavyweights with elite boxing skills. Josh Hokit represents exactly that after which some along with his D-I wrestling experience at Fresno State. His movement, speed, and most of all his cardio can be the most important threat to Derrick Lewis throughout this fight. Hokit can be trying to placed on a show as the overall goes over and he wins with a TKO finish late.” Prediction: Josh Hokit wins by KO/TKO
Sean O’Mallley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Kerman: “O’Malley’s height, reach, and volume give him the clearer paths to banking rounds if he fights disciplined and accepts a technical fight over a viral finish hunt. Zahabi’s durability, defense, and counter-punching will make him a tricky nut to crack, especially early, and he’s absolutely live to steal momentum with well-timed counters or leg kicks if Sean gets lazy with exits. But over three rounds, O’Malley’s ability to combine feints, level changes, and multi-level attacks should create more visible scoring moments for judges.” Prediction: Sean O’Malley wins by Unanimous Decision
Zawartko: “O’Malley got a tricky customer his last trip against Song Yadong and he’ll likely must be equally focused against one other sneaky striker like Zahabi. Zahabi’s disciplined training and accurate striking could frustrate O’Malley throughout this fight, but it surely’s clear O’Malley is more willing to take a punch and absorb punches in the method. Still, his betting odds are way too inflated and this might be a much closer fight on the feet that many may expect.” Prediction: Sean O’Malley wins by Split Decision
Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane
Kerman: “That is arguably the hardest fight on the cardboard to predict because each fighters have the skillset to walk away with the interim title. Nevertheless, I thoroughly expect Gane to be so much quicker and harder to land on than previous opponents. The speed, size, and variety in strikes that Gane possesses goes to provide Pereira matches. Ultimately, Gane goes on the market and utilizes his speed and footwork to remain on the surface and counter the calf kicks of Pereira with strikes of his own, out striking Pereira to a choice victory.” Prediction: Ciryl Gane wins by Split Decision
Zawartko: “Ciryl Gane offers a really difficult search for Pereira due to his movement and lateral control of the octagon. He’s rather more fluid in darting in with quick shots, which could develop into an issue with Pereira’s flat-footed stance. Gane can even be very dangerous within the clinch with elbows and knees while being rather more comfortable at his typical fighting weight. Still, I like Alex Pereira to return out on top on this debut. He looks massive and the hope is that his chin will only develop into more durable, not as much of a threat against Gane’s level of power.” Prediction: Alex Pereira wins by KO/TKO
Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje
Kerman: “Because the fight settles, Topuria’s ability to read patterns, slip inside, and fire tight mixtures to move and body should start finding cleaner, more telling connections. Gaethje’s durability and cardio keep him dangerous late, yet his tendency to get squared up and trade in place leaves too many openings for a finisher as accurate as Ilia.Ultimately, Ilia Topuria defends his lightweight title for the primary time by mid-fight TKO after a wild, competitive start where each men land huge shots.” Prediction: Ilia Topuria wins by KO/TKO
Zawartko: “While I believe Justin Gaethje can be doing the whole lot to return out on top during what needs to be his last UFC fight, I just don’t see anyone stopping the striking force of Ilia Topuria. His confidence is unlike anything we have seen in recent memory and he’s made a reputation off making challenges like Justin Gaethje look easy. Expect a fast finish in the primary or second round from Topuria and his elite boxing.” Prediction: Ilia Topuria wins by KO/TKO
UFC Freedom 250 is finally here as fight fans will lay witness to combat sports history as Dana White pulls off the unimaginable feat of hosting MMA fights on the South Lawn of the White House within the nation’s capital. 14 total fighters will make the walk to the newly built arena, competing and performing in front of military personnel, veterans, and everything of the American people.