Tom HousdenUpdated June 15, 2026 — 4:12pm,first published June 15, 2026 — 9:39am4.12pm on Jun 15, 2026That’s a wrapBy We’re wrapping up our live coverage of the UFC Freedom 250 event to celebrate US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Thank you for joining us.Read a recap of the event here.The final fight of the night, between America’s Justin Gaethje and Georgia’s Ilia Topuria.Alex Brandon/AP Pool via APSpectators at the UFC Freedom250 fan fest.Bloomberg3.58pm on Jun 15, 2026Trump puts himself at centre of birthday spectacle – his own and America’sBy Since 2020, the White House’s southern facade has served as the backdrop for a Republican National Convention, a rally preceding a mob attack on the Capitol, and now, a mixed martial arts match celebrating US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, the Washington Post reports.Read the full story wrapping up the event here.Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during the event.Getty Images3.51pm on Jun 15, 2026UFC Freedom 250 winds up with fireworks displayBy UFC Freedom 250 has now wrapped up after the headlining fight saw Justin Gaethje batter Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title.In the night’s other championship fight, Ciryl Gane beat Alex Pereira to take home the interim UFC heavyweight title.A six-minute fireworks finale near the National Mall marked the end of the event at about 1.20am (Washington time).Fireworks explode above the White House.AP Photo/Rod LamkeyAP3.34pm on Jun 15, 2026Gaethje shocks Topuria to win UFC lightweight crown By American lightweight Justin Gaethje and Spanish-Georgian Ilia Topuria made their walkouts from the Oval Office as fireworks exploded overhead during Michael Buffer’s introductions.Gaethje mustered some scattered “USA!” chants against Topuria, though not even the main event could stop the trend of mostly quiet fights.Ilia Topuria of Georgia grapples with Justin Gaethje of the United States in the UFC Lightweight Championship bout.Getty ImagesIt took the gory sight of a bloodied Topuria nearly having the fight waved off to get a “let them fight!” chant going. The fight continued, and the 37-year-old Gaethje won eventually via corner stoppage in the fourth round.“Hard work, baby,” Gaethje said. “I am made for these moments. This sport is made for me.”3.14pm on Jun 15, 2026Cabinet Room, Roosevelt Room get cameos for the title fightBy The broadcast of fight night has taken viewers on a bit of a tour of the White House, with fighters warming up in different storied rooms.For the final bout, Ilia Topuria prepared in the Roosevelt Room, while Justin Gaethje warmed up in the Cabinet Room.Ilia Topuria walks through the White House before his lightweight title bout.Jacquelyn Martin/POOL AP via APEach of them passed through the Oval Office before winding their way to the Octagon – with Gaethje appearing to briefly read the copy of the Declaration of Independence that Trump has added.Justin Gaethje walks through the Grand Foyer of the White House.Jacquelyn Martin/POOL AP via APAP2.38pm on Jun 15, 2026Gane hammers Perreira in co-main fightBy Ciryl Gane hammered Alex Pereira with a series of elbows and fists to the head and won via TKO in 1:27 of the second round to claim the interim belt and set up a rematch with heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall.Ciryl Gane of France strikes Alex Pereira during their short bout. Getty ImagesLike the bulk of the fighters who had their hands raised in victory, Gane thanked Trump.Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje in the main event.AP2.20pm on Jun 15, 2026Mixed results for American fightersBy It’s been a mixed night so far for the American fighters at the Freedom 250 event at the White House.After US fighters lost their first two bouts against international opponents, Sean O’Malley delivered an impressive knockout of Canadian Aiemann Zahabi in their bantamweight fight.Sean O’Malley lands a punch on Aiemann Zahabi during their bantamweight bout. Getty ImagesBrazilian fighters went 2-0 against Americans, with Diego Lopes knocking out Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout and Mauricio Ruffy knocking out Michael Chandler in a lightweight bout.Josh Hokit, after knocking out Derrick Lewis, thanked Trump, and “my lord and saviour Jesus Christ” before veering into an unfounded right-wing conspiracy theory about a former first lady: “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”1.55pm on Jun 15, 2026What’s happened so far?By If you’re just joining us, President Donald Trump is holding an 80th birthday party like no other on the South Lawn of the White House – UFC Freedom 250 – an event given equal billing as a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.A 4300-seat temporary arena has been erected on the White House lawn.Evan Vucci/Pool Reuters via APIt’s now approaching midnight in the eastern US, and thousands of spectators gathered in the fan zone adjacent to the main arena have seen five fights, punctuated by military tributes, crypto and energy drink ads and a rendition of Y.M.C.A. by a Marine Corps band. The night’s biggest bouts are still to come.Sean O’Malley walks out for his bantamweight bout against Aiemann Zahabi.AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe event kicked off just before 8.30pm in Washington, with Trump and UFC president Dana White walking through the White House to the 4300-seat “claw” arena, which is mainly occupied by invited VIPs and members of the US armed forces. Storms that threatened to cause delays have held off.1.22pm on Jun 15, 2026‘A legendary night at the people’s house’By The official White House X account has been posting updates throughout the event, describing it as “a legendary night at the people’s house”.1.06pm on Jun 15, 2026Knockout and a proposal for fighter Mauricio Ruffy By Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy knocked out American Michael Chandler in the first round of a middleweight fight.Trump watches Mauricio Ruffy defeat Michael Chandler.AP Photo/Mark SchiefelbeinRuffy stunned Chandler with a kick and then finished him off by TKO four and a half minutes into the fight, prompting Trump to pump his fist in approval from his ringside seat.Ruffy warms up in the Green Room of the White House ahead of the bout.Jacquelyn Martin/POOL AP via APIn the post-fight interview, Ruffy then proposed to his girlfriend, Nadine.AP1 of 3