If you’re about ready to tune into Paramount+ to see all the action go down at the White House, get ready to do a lot of waiting and listen to a lot of talking.
The UFC published a statement approximately an hour ago, announcing that coverage would begin at 8pm ET. The UFC Freedom 250 broadcast has been scheduled for 8pm ET, but the usage of the word “coverage” made people assume the fights would be delayed.
There is now confirmation that the fights will indeed not start as scheduled. Both Irati Prat of DAZN and Greg Rosenstein of NBC posted on X that the first UFC Freedom 250 bout — Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia — will begin at 9pm ET.
First UFC Freedom 250 Fight Delayed An Hour — Will There Be More Delays During The White House Card?
For the last week-plus, there have been reports about potential weather impacts on the UFC Freedom 250 event. UFC CEO and President Dana White, however, previously assured that they would work in conjunction with the U.S. military to work with whatever the weather would bring.
“Listen, the show goes on on Sunday, no matter what happens. We’re going. I don’t care if it rains, snows,” White said during this weekend. “I’m sick and tired of hearing about all the weather now.”
“We are fighting on Sunday night on the White House lawn no matter what!”
The UFC has claimed the event will go on rain or shine, with the only delays being when lightning is in the area.
“We do have contingency planning where we can remain and continue to broadcast from a location close by the South Lawn,” UFC Chief Content Officer Craig Bosari told The Athletic on Thursday. “And if we feel like a weather pattern’s coming in that will pass and we can resume, we will.”
Earlier on Sunday, June 14, the day of the White House event, The Weather Channel posted a grim weather update, claiming a “chaotic weather setup.”
“…With a 60% chance of thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and wind gusts up to 34 mph threatening to delay the outdoor fights,” the post read. “On top of the storm risk, brutal D.C. humidity is driving a triple-digit heat index alongside massive swarms of mosquitos and gnats that fighters will have to battle inside the cage.
“While the venue’s massive 92-foot overhang will keep the octagon dry, a single lightning strike within eight miles will trigger an automatic 30-minute freeze on the entire event.”
UFC Freedom 250 is being held as part of the sesquicentennial of the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump first teased such an event during the 4th of July festivities last year. A lawsuit filed last week in an attempt to stop the UFC Freedom 250 event was quickly dismissed.
UFC Freedom 250 is headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the UFC lightweight championship and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.