UFC Freedom 250, staged on Sunday night on the South Lawn of the White House, was mostly an impressive show. The main event, which pitted the second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Ilia Topuria—the German-born lightweight champion who represents Georgia—against American underdog Justin Gaethje, lived up to its billing. Military personnel on hand chanted “USA! USA! USA!” Gaethje, 37, bloodied Topuria’s face and delivered a wicked knee to his ribs. Meanwhile Topuria, 29, continued to connect on his punches. But after the fourth of five rounds, Topuria’s corner stopped the fight, producing a storybook ending to an event that has roused widespread discussion about the appropriateness of using White House grounds for bloodsport.
The American, in the last stage of his career, prevailed against a younger fighter, in his prime, at the White House, in a celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary. “Hey, I’m from America,” said Gaethje afterwards, a ****** le belt draped over his shoulder. “250 years ago, we were way bigger than 6-to-1 [under]dogs.” UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the popular podcaster who has been calling bouts since 2002, called Gaethje’s victory “one of the great upsets” and “one of the greatest fights” in the history of the sport.
The main event wasn’t the only highlight. President Donald Trump, a longtime fight fan and friend of UFC president and CEO Dana White, sat cageside the day the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement, to be signed on Friday, to end the war that started Feb. 28. Trump saw exciting action in each fight that night. All seven, in fact, ended in a knockout or technical knockout, the first time all fights on a main card ended in knockouts in the nearly 33-year history of the UFC.
On a day that the Weather Channel forecast “rain, 30 mph winds and mosquitos on the White House lawn,” the weather broke the UFC’s way. After a 30-minute delay, the card went forward uninterrupted. The United States Marine Band played catchy live tunes, putting its spin on ditties like “The Boys Are Back In Town” and “YMCA.” Military heroes and first responders from all over the country accompanied fighters to the Octagon.
The White House backdrop, fighters walking out of the Oval Office and down the West Wing for their introductions, the shots of the Washington monument, the massive crowd watching the fight together on the Ellipse, the fireworks: it all made for a compelling sports production.
The American, in the last stage of his career, prevailed against a younger fighter, in his prime, at the White House, in a celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary. “Hey, I’m from America,” said Gaethje afterwards, a ****** le belt draped over his shoulder. “250 years ago, we were way bigger than 6-to-1 [under]dogs.” UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the popular podcaster who has been calling bouts since 2002, called Gaethje’s victory “one of the great upsets” and “one of the greatest fights” in the history of the sport.
The main event wasn’t the only highlight. President Donald Trump, a longtime fight fan and friend of UFC president and CEO Dana White, sat cageside the day the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement, to be signed on Friday, to end the war that started Feb. 28. Trump saw exciting action in each fight that night. All seven, in fact, ended in a knockout or technical knockout, the first time all fights on a main card ended in knockouts in the nearly 33-year history of the UFC.
On a day that the Weather Channel forecast “rain, 30 mph winds and mosquitos on the White House lawn,” the weather broke the UFC’s way. After a 30-minute delay, the card went forward uninterrupted. The United States Marine Band played catchy live tunes, putting its spin on ditties like “The Boys Are Back In Town” and “YMCA.” Military heroes and first responders from all over the country accompanied fighters to the Octagon.
The White House backdrop, fighters walking out of the Oval Office and down the West Wing for their introductions, the shots of the Washington monument, the massive crowd watching the fight together on the Ellipse, the fireworks: it all made for a compelling sports production.
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