UFC Freedom 250 staredowns: Topuria vs Gaethje weigh-ins complete

UFC Freedom 250 fighters completed ceremonial weigh-ins Saturday at the White House ahead of Sunday's historic card on the South Lawn.

As MMA Mania first reported, the staredowns featured featherweight champion Ilia Topuria squaring off against Justin Gaethje in a 155-pound title fight, with Alex Pereira facing Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight belt in the co-main. Per Sherdog's coverage, Pereira weighed 251 pounds, Gane 248, while both lightweight title challengers hit 155 on the nose.

The card streams live on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. ET Sunday from Washington, D.C. Sean O'Malley defends his bantamweight strap against Aiemann Zahabi earlier in the evening, with Derrick Lewis, Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal and Diego Lopes filling out the seven-bout card.

Weather concerns linger for White House outdoor event

UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged potential weather issues for Sunday's outdoor show. The updated forecast calls for 100-degree heat and scattered thunderstorms in the nation's capital, according to MMA Mania's report, though White said he's willing to deal with that problem if it becomes necessary.

The ceremonial faceoffs proceeded without incident Saturday. Topuria and Gaethje closed as a -600 favourite and +450 underdog respectively, with Pereira a narrow pick'em against Gane at -115 to +100. First bell for the prelims is 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Staredowns! Check out the final White House faceoffs ahead of historic UFC Freedom 250 card | Video
• Sherdog — UFC White House ‘Freedom 250’ play-by-play, results & round scoring