Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 11
B/R Picks Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira for 2 White House UFC Headliners
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 11

B/R Picks Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira for 2 White House UFC Headliners

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 11

Summary

  • Sunday’s White House UFC card is projected by B/R staff to be led by Ilia Topuria retaining his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje, with both writers backing the champion by stoppage.
  • A second title fight split the panel: Lyle Fitzsimmons picked Ciryl Gane by decision, while Tom Taylor backed Alex Pereira by second-round TKO in an interim heavyweight bout.
  • Sean O’Malley was the clearest consensus pick on the undercard, with both writers forecasting a decision win over 38-year-old Aiemann Zahabi.
  • Josh Hokit, Mauricio Ruffy and Bo Nickal also drew strong support, while Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia produced the other notable disagreement.
  • The lineup falls short of Donald Trump’s earlier promise of title fights throughout, but B/R still framed the White House show as a stacked card of elite matchups.

Insights

Is the UFC's $60 million White House event a revolutionary marketing move or just an extravagant financial gamble?
How will the historic White House setting and looming weather threats affect the fighters' performances tomorrow night?