UFC Freedom 250 – Early Predictions for the White House Card

During the UFC 326 main card, the UFC officially announced the six-fight card for ‘UFC Freedom Fights 250’ on June 14th.

The main event will see the undisputed lightweight title on the line between the champion, Ilia Topuria and the interim champion, Justin Gaethje. The co-main event sees the interim heavyweight title on the line as Ciryl Gane takes on former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Sean O’Malley meets Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy and Michael Chandler go to war, Bo Nickal takes on Kyle Daukaus and opening the card is a featherweight bout between Steve Garcia and Diego Lopes.

We give you our early predictions for the card and what we expect to see from UFC Freedom Fights 250, with a little over three months from the event.

UFC Freedom Fights 250 Card Early Predictions

Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia

All action featherweights meet in what promises to be an exciting bout to kick off the UFC Freedom Fights 250 card. Averaging 5.39 strikes per minute, Garcia is enjoying a seven-fight winning run, including wins over Calvin Kattar and a win in his first main event against David Onama last time out. He’s finished seven of his eight UFC wins by knockout and always comes to throw down.

Diego Lopes has featured on every big card in recent years. UFC 300 – Tick. UFC at the Sphere – Tick. Now UFC Freedom 250 – Tick. He’s also received two title fights, losing both to Alexander Volkanovski in a dominant fashion, showing at this moment in time, he isn’t at the elite level.

Lopes hasn’t been finished since 2018, and Garcia hasn’t lost since 2022.

Pick – Garcia via Split Decision

Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus

Bo Nickal fighting at the White House is the least surprising thing about the whole card. After bouncing back from his first career loss last time out with a brutal headkick knockout, the wrestling stand-out proved he’s not just a one-trick pony. He’s added striking to his game, making him a dangerous prospect. He’s only seen the judges once in his career, so expect action from Nickal, especially at the White House.

Kyle Daukaus has had one of the greatest career turnarounds in UFC history. Having been cut in 2022, Daukaus would go 4-0 outside of the UFC to earn his place back on the roster. Interestingly, on June 14th 2025, Daukaus recorded a first-round defence of his CFFC title. One year to the day in 2026, Daukaus will look to extend his UFC winning run to three straight at UFC Freedom Fights 250.

Pick – Daukaus via unanimous decision

Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler

Mauricio Ruffy put on a career-best performance last time out against Rafael Fiziev, looking quick, powerful and accurate with every shot he threw. Bouncing back from his first career loss, Ruffy finished Fiziev in the second round of their bout. An exciting striker, Ruffy will always look to keep things standing.

Michael Chandler was guaranteed a spot on this card, irrespective of the fact that he’s 1-5 in his last six. He was promised the Conor McGregor fight on this card, however, it’s the Brazilian Ruffy who will stand across from him at UFC Freedom Fights 250. He’s all action and highly entertaining, but is too easily hit for Ruffy to have any trouble.

Pick – Ruffy via Round 1 Knockout

Sean O’Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi

Perhaps the strangest fight on the card features bonus machine, Sean O’Malley, and #6 ranked, Aiemann Zahabi. Aside from the fact that it should be O’Malley vs Cory Sandhagen, Zahabi isn’t a style that the UFC would likely want on a card as big as UFC Freedom Fights 250.

Sean O’Malley measures distance like few others in the promotion. He’s got heavy hands and a defensive style that relies on his elite reactions to avoid shots. Suga is marketable, likeable and a good talker. To top it all off, he’ll be motivated by the chance to face the champion of the division after beating him previously.

Zahabi isn’t a notorious finisher. He has just two UFC finishes and has gone the distance on the last four occasions. With that being said, the competition in his last four fights has seen a significant increase in ability.

Pick – O’Malley via Round 3 TKO

Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane

An exciting heavyweight clash without a doubt. Are fans disappointed that it isn’t Pereira vs Jon Jones? Maybe a touch, but realistically, this is a better fight.

We knew that Poatan would be featuring at UFC Freedom Fights 250 after relinquishing his light heavyweight strap, and if you’re only as good as your last fight, expect the Brazilian to be on fantastic form on the president’s lawn. It could be the battle of the leg kicks, with both men utilising the lower kick as a frequent weapon. Despite being the man moving up, don’t be surprised when Pereira looks to walk down Gane.

Gane is light on his feet and spiteful when he needs to be. His jab was lethal against Tom Aspinall in their first round, bloodying the champion. With the expectation on Pereira to walk forward, Gane is more than happy to fight on the back foot, pick off any lazy shots and make the Brazilian pay.

Pick – Pereira via unanimous decision

Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje

The undisputed lightweight title will be on the line in the headliner of UFC Freedom Fights 250. Returning after a year-long hiatus, Ilia Topuria will be salivating at the match-up with Gaethje. With elite boxing, a highly underrated ground game and scary knockout power for his size, Topuria will be looking to make yet another statement in this one.

Gaethje is a fascinating fighter because we’ve seen a complete style change during his time in the UFC. He entered as the bezerker and now he’s more measured, which has seen him get the opportunity to headline at the White House for UFC Freedom Fights 250. With that being said, although he’s more defensively aware, he’s still extremely easy to hit. Against Paddy Pimblett, who is widely accepted as a poor striker, Gaethje absorbed 200 total strikes, of which 144 were significant. If he does that against Topuria, he’ll get knocked out early.

Pick – Topuria via Round 2 KO