Surreal UFC White House press conference plays out at Lincoln Memorial
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Tonight, a unique press conference will take place at the Lincoln Memorial, as UFC fighters trade barbs two days before competing on the White House South Lawn.
Sunday will bring an unprecedented event, where seven fights will play out as a celebration of 250 years of the United States, but also coinciding with the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump.
Trump is a close friend of UFC chief Dana White, who is expected to be present for this press conference, which will feature Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira and more.
Sunday’s main event sees Topuria defend the UFC lightweight title against American Gaethje, after fierce insults between the pair this week , while Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt in the co-main event.
Follow live updates from the “UFC Freedom 250” press conference, below.
UFC Freedom 250 press conference LIVE
- Fighters will share stage and trade words ahead of Sunday’s White House UFC event
- Press conference takes place at Lincoln Memorial, starting at 1.15am BST/8.15pm ET
- Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria headline Sunday’s fight card, after insult about 'divorce'
- Launch press conference in May saw Josh Hokit dragged off stage by security
- Will Donald Trump be present? US President has snubbed his nation's World Cup opener
- UFC Freedom 250, as fight card is named, is celebration of 250 years of US
- Federal judge rejects lawsuit seeking to prevent fights from going ahead
Not the only time Ilia Topuria has been angered recently
22:44 , Alex Pattle
More recently, Topuria took exception to another comment about family – this time, one directed at his own.
“All that guy is, is a gimmick,” Justin Gaethje said recently. “He calls himself the king, he thinks he’s a God. What an annoying little b*****d. I couldn’t imagine being in a room with him for 30 minutes, listening to him talk about himself.
“And I can say this: I would leave him. That’s all I’m saying: I would leave him. No way I would put up with his s***.”
Ahead of his fight with Gaethje on Sunday, Topuria replied: “Justin crossed a line. What happened between my ex-wife and me is our business. We may no longer be together, but she is the mother of my daughter.
“To everyone insulting her or speaking about things they know nothing about: show some respect. You don’t have to respect our relationship. But respecting someone’s mother should be one of the most basic codes in life. Be better.”
Gaethje responded, and Topuria did the same in turn... More here:
UFC White House fighters Topuria and Gaethje trade insults about ‘divorce’ and family
Will Josh Hokit be dragged off stage by security again?
22:36 , Alex Pattle
At the launch press conference for UFC Freedom 250 last month, Hokit was hauled away by security after angering Ilia Topuria .
Hokit is due to face Derrick Lewis on Sunday, but in a stunnig tirade, the heavyweight took aim at Alex Pereira, who will vie for the division’s interim title on Sunday.
When Hokit referenced family, Topuria was irate – and the much-smaller man hurled a water bottle at the American, before security intervened.
It should be said that Hokit, who often speaks in rhyme, seems to be putting on a WWE-style persona. Still, that doesn’t mean you can say whatever you like, free of consequence, I suppose!
Who will speak at press conference today? UFC White House fight card in full
22:29 , Alex Pattle
We’re expecting UFC president Dana White to host tonight’s press conference, although that duty could be taken on by commentator Jon Anik.
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Rubio is so lost. Someone who aspired to be PotUS is acting like a pathetic sycophant.
We are being governed by fools.
... now on the downside of their apex of influence.
I hope you're right.
caligula's rome 2.0
Bread and circuses.
But the bread is getting pricey.
I think that face was from a dream where he opens the resolute desk and finds...