As the fighters prepare for their White House debuts in the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn, the Weather Channel is predicting heavy rain and potential thunderstorms as we ramp up to a title fight between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.Follow live. Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll8Key Events3Comments2Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 10:03amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 10:03amA look inside UFC Freedom 250There's been A LOT of chat in the lead-up to today and plenty of fans have turned out to events, giving us a chance to get their perspectives.Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:47amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:47amHistoric?By Jon HealyJon Healy - please explain why this is a moment in history?
It's a boxing match held NOT on the 250th anniversary, but a struggling president. It's not even the 250th anniversary today.
A tacky event - definitely.
A moment in history... um. no.- JohnHi John,Regardless of whether you view it as an abomination unbecoming of the White House or a marvellous celebration of everything the USA stands for, an event of this type and scale held on the South Lawn is an historic moment.Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:44amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:44amContrasting scenesBy Jon HealyOutside the event, labelled "a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit", protesters have hit the streets …(Getty)Meanwhile, inside the watch party …(Getty)Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:34amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:34amFighting in the rainBy Jon HealyUFC in heavy rain with thunderstorm would be cool. lol - ReeceThe roof on the structure might keep them dry, but if there is any sort of wind, surely the rain is getting blown onto the fighters.And any of the celebrities in attendance are surely getting soaked.Mon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:29amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:29amSevere thunderstorm alert issuedBy Jon HealyIt's looking OK in this video shared by the White House account …But the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Washington DC and surrounding areas.Key EventMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:17amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:17amWho is fighting at the White House?By Jon HealyThere are seven fights on the card tonight/this morning.Here's the order:Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia (featherweight)Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus (middleweight)Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler (lightweight)Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis (heavyweight)Sean O'Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane (heavyweight — interim title fight)Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje (lightweight — title fight)Key EventMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:09amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:09am'Chaotic weather' forecastBy Jon HealyThe Weather Channel has posted on social media that there could be some wild weather.A decent chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms with 55 km/h wind gusts could cause delays to the event on the South Lawn of the White House.The forecast also warns of mosquitoes and gnats "that fighters will have to battle inside the cage".The White House's so-called "Rapid Response Team", the purview of which is to put "a flamethrower on the Fake News Media", says not to worry, though, because this post was written by a "friendless loser"."This event is about celebrating America's unmatched greatness after 250 years," it tweeted."Rain or shine, we're celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"Off to one hell of a start.Key EventMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:01amMon 15 Jun 2026 at 9:01amHello, and welcome to a moment in historyBy Jon HealyYes, you read that right; it's time for UFC on the South Lawn of the White House.(Getty)It's all part of the United States's sesquicentennial celebrations and just so happens to coincide with US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. How about that?There are seven fights on the card today, culminating in a main event title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, plus a mountain of activity outside the octagon.Stick around as we bring you every moment.Email address
