UFC Freedom 250 Staff Picks: Lightweight Bruisers Collide in Exciting Summer Bout
UFC Freedom 250 takes place Sunday. Our staff picks are in. Who did our guys choose?
Standing as the most stacked card of the year, as well as one of the most incredible events in the company’s history, UFC Freedom 250 aims to commemorate the founding of the United States with a bevy of dazzling fights. Taking top billing for the occasion will be lightweight apex Ilia Topuria, as he attempts to retain his belt against interim champion Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, former light heavyweight star Alex Pereira seeks to secure a third championship when he faces French juggernaut Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.
UFC Freedom 250 Main Event
Making history last year as the first undefeated fighter to win a UFC strap in two separate divisions, Topuria finds himself as a bonafide superstar in the sport of mixed martial arts. In front of the entire world on the South Lawn of the White House, “El Matador” is looking to make his first successful defense of his 155-lb throne and settle a growing rivalry with his American foe.
For almost the past ten years, Gaethje has risen to become an icon in the sport, an icon that has resonated with fans the world over for his wide-array of jaw-dropping finishes. Although he has accomplished much in his legendary career, there is still one prize that “The Highlight” is still hungry to achieve: a UFC championship.
UFC Freedom 250 Co-Main Event
After making his debut in 2021, no one could have predicted how far Pereira was going to ascend in the UFC. Seizing both the middleweight and light heavyweight belts in the span of two years, the Brazilian phenom has already cemented his place as an all-time great. With a win this Sunday, though, “Poatan” can create combat sports history as the first fighter to obtain three UFC titles in three different weight categories.
Last year at UFC 321, Gane was getting the better of current heavyweight gold standard Tom Aspinall. That was until an inadvertent eye poke saw his third shot at the undisputed championship become marred in controversy after the match was waived off as a no contest. With his eyes still firmly set on claiming the 265-lb crown for himself, “Bon Gamin” contends for the interim strap for a second time in one of the most important bouts of his life against the man many call the best kickboxer on the planet.
More Bouts On the UFC Freedom 250 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, previous bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley battles Aiemann Zahabi. Then, heavyweight bruisers Josh Hokit and Derrick Lewis trade blows. Then, Brazilian lightweight standout Maurício Ruffy meets former title-challenger Michael Chandler. Also, middleweight prospects Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus settle the score. Finally, featherweight knockout artists Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia share the cage in an electrifying main card opener.
UFC Freedom 250 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
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ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Freedom 250 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 118:
1. Hank Strandberg: 88-41
2. Frazer Krohn: 73-56
3. Drew Zuhosky: 60-72
4. Andrew Benjamin: 18-18
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Diego Lopes -148
Vs.
Steve Garcia +128
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Lopes by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Garcia by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Lopes by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Lopes: 2
Staff picking Garcia: 1
Bo Nickal -325
Vs.
Kyle Daukaus +265
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Nickal by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Nickal by Second Round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Nickal by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Nickal: 3
Staff picking Daukaus: 0
Maurício Ruffy -700
Vs.
Michael Chandler +525
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Ruffy by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Ruffy by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Ruffy by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Ruffy: 3
Staff picking Chandler: 0
Josh Hokit -400
Vs.
Derrick Lewis +330
HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Hokit by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Lewis by Third Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Hokit by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hokit: 2
Staff picking Lewis: 1
Sean O'Malley -425
Vs.
Aiemann Zahabi +325
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: O’Malley by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: O’Malley by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: O'Malley by Split Decision
Staff picking O’Malley: 3
Staff picking Zahabi: 0
Alex Pereira -110
Vs.
Cyril Gane -110
HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Pereira by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pereira by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Pereira by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Pereira: 3
Staff picking Gane: 0
Ilia Topuria -550
Vs.
Justin Gaethje +400
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Topuria by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Topuria by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Topuria by Fourth Round Knockout
Staff picking Topuria: 3
Staff picking Gaethje: 0
