All articles tagged with #justin gaethje
Crews are building a temporary 5,000-seat UFC arena on the White House South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations; UFC is paying most costs (over $60 million) with federal and local agencies handling security, and weigh-ins are planned at the Lincoln Memorial, with a custom lighting structure backdrop for the White House.
Dana White is on the TIME cover in a feature about his rise and the UFC’s historic White House visit slated for June 14, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title; White reveals he tried to book a women’s strawweight title bout (Mackenzie Dern vs. Zhang Weili) but couldn’t get it done, while Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane will contest the interim heavyweight title, and the piece explores White’s lengthy relationship with President Trump.
Ilia Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa says Islam Makhachev was never an actual option for the UFC White House card; negotiations ultimately centered on a Gaethje fight after Makhachev was sidelined by an injury, with Topuria still eyeing a future showdown with Makhachev and ongoing talks about pay and terms.
Ilia Topuria blasted Islam Makhachev for missing a potential superfight and not appearing at the UFC White House event, claiming Makhachev cited an injury; Makhachev replied after Topuria’s posts, and Dana White said neither fighter was guaranteed to headline. Makhachev holds the 170-pound belt after beating Della Maddalena, while Topuria remains focused on a future title run and is set to face Gaethje on June 14.
Gaethje says he was told days before the White House card that he wouldn’t fight, then learned he would headline against Ilia Topuria at UFC 326, as he prepares for a dangerous matchup and a potential legacy moment in the historic event.
Opening odds for UFC White House show Ilia Topuria as a massive -550 favorite to defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje, while Ciryl Gane is favored to win the interim heavyweight title against Alex Pereira (-180 vs +155); the six-fight card features several wide bets, including Sean O’Malley, Mauricio Ruffy, Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal, and others expected to win.
Dana White denied reports that Islam Makhachev was slated to fight Ilia Topuria on the UFC White House card, confirming instead that Topuria will headline a lightweight title unification bout with Justin Gaethje. Makhachev is sidelined by a hand injury and Ramadan obligations, while Topuria and Gaethje were late additions after a chaotic build‑up following a Power Slap event; the card is set for June 14 as part of the America 250 celebration.
Ilia Topuria returns to headline the UFC's White House–themed Freedom 250 card against Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout, with Alex Pereira moving to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for an interim title, and a stacked lineup including Sean O’Malley vs Zahabi, Bo Nickal vs Daukaus, and Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia.
Ilia Topuria dismisses Arman Tsarukyan as his toughest test and says he’d fight him if the UFC asks, even as he eyes a lightweight title defense against interim champ Justin Gaethje. Tsarukyan, riding a five‑fight win streak and once a backup for Topuria’s vacant title bout, has pressed for a title shot, but Topuria argues there are no easy fights and even suggested he’d fight both Gaethje and Tsarukyan if the UFC wanted.
Paddy Pimblett, coming off a unanimous decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, says he weighed about 86 kg (190 lb) after returning to Liverpool and enjoying a post‑fight food tour. He’s been eating well but not ballooning as much as in past camps, typically having one large meal plus a late snack, and he’s awaiting his next UFC assignment.
Jon Jones, reportedly battling hip arthritis, was burned by Dwight Howard on defense as Team Quavo beat Team Dwight 82-67 in the Celebrity Flag Football Challenge; the event also featured MMA stars like Demetrious Johnson, Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo and honored first responders and military members.
Paddy Pimblett says he’ll be back in the summer after a unanimous-decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in a largely striking affair, noting Gaethje’s performance while suffering visible bruising and eye pokes; Pimblett says he’s fine overall aside from a possible scratched cornea and remains eager for a rematch in the future.
Paddy Pimblett posted his first remarks since UFC 324, thanking fans and congratulating Justin Gaethje after a brutal five‑round war that left him hospitalized. His wife Laura shared photos highlighting his severe facial injuries, while the event drew record Paramount+ viewership (about 7.18 million households).
After a brutal five-round loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, Paddy Pimblett posted that there are no excuses and congratulated Gaethje, noting he’s fine after a postfight hospital visit and vowing to return to pursue the undisputed lightweight title.
Paddy Pimblett's five‑round interim lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 could still spark a historic showdown with Conor McGregor at the UFC White House event, a bout that would be huge for the sport's profile and business and could keep Pimblett on a path toward a title shot, while McGregor eyes a high‑payoff comeback.