Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane faced off for the first time, and they did it on the ground where they’ll soon be fighting.
Next month, the UFC will make history when it holds an event on the White House lawn, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. The co-main event of the card, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, will feature a different kind of history, as Pereira attempts to become the first person to win titles in three UFC weight classes, challenging Ciryl Gane for
an interim heavyweight title. And now the two have come face to face, right where they’ll battle it out for the title.
On Wednesday, the UFC flew both men to Washington, D.C. to do promotional faceoffs for the event on the White House lawn, and Pereira’s coach, Glover Teixeira, posted a photo to his Instagram Reels.
In the main event of UFC White House, Ilia Topuria puts his lightweight title on the line against interim champion Justin Gaethje, and both champions were also in attendance for their event. Topuria and Gaethje also reportedly faced off on the lawn, but no images of that have surfaced yet. However, all four fighters also met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
“I’m a big sports fan,” President Trump said. “There are no people tougher in sports than the people behind me. These are the toughest people. …
“June 14, we’re having a big fight. It’s never going to happen again; it’s never happened before. It’s all of the best fighters, the best four fighters standing behind me, all four champions, and it’s going to happen right in front of the White House. …
“This will be the greatest show on Earth.”
