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Topuria vs Gaethje: UFC's Historic White House Fight Set for June 14
The UFC will make history this weekend by hosting its first event at the White House, headlined by a lightweight title unification bout between undefeated champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) and interim champion Justin Gaethje. The fight is part of the 'UFC Freedom 250' celebration, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday Source: abces; elmundoes.
What's at Stake
Topuria, a dual-weight champion, puts his lightweight belt on the line against Gaethje, who has won five of his last six fights. The event also features an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane Source: elmundoes. The White House South Lawn has been transformed with a 30-meter structure called 'La Garra' to accommodate 4,300 guests Source: elmundoes; infobae.
Pre-Fight Tension
Tensions escalated during a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial when Topuria shoved Gaethje after the American mocked his recent divorce Source: abces; infobae. UFC president Dana White had to intervene. Topuria later said, "I told him not to come close, and he said, 'Are you going to punch me?' And I replied, 'Yes'" Source: abces.
Predictions
AI analysis favors Topuria, giving him a 70-75% chance of winning by knockout between the second and fourth rounds Source: abces. However, fighter Arman Tsarukyan has bet $1 million on Gaethje, potentially winning $5.7 million if the underdog prevails Source: lavanguardia. Topuria himself has predicted a knockout, saying, "It's going to be a knockout" Source: mileniomx.
- Fight time: 5:00 AM Spanish time (Monday) / 11:00 PM ET (Sunday) Source: elconfidencial.
- Broadcast: HBO Max and Eurosport in Spain Source: elconfidencial.
- Venue: South Lawn, White House, Washington D.C. Source: infobae.
Sources
7 quotes“«Si tuviera que elegir un favorito, me inclinaría por Ilia Topuria.» «Mi predicción personal es que Topuria gana el 70-75% de las veces. Resultado más probable es el KO de Topuria entre los asaltos 2 y 4.»”
“«Le dije que no se acercara, y él me contestó: '¿Me vas a dar un puñetazo?'. Y yo le respondí: 'Sí'», explicó el hispanogeorgiano.”
“«Va a ser un nocaut. Yo creo que también es lo que la gente quiere ver, más en un evento tan icónico como el de la Casa Blanca, frente a un oponente como Justin Gaethje.»”
“El luchador hispano-georgiano Ilia Topuria empujó este viernes a su rival, el estadounidense Justin Gaethje, durante un careo previo al combate de artes marciales mixtas (MMA) que disputarán el domingo en la Casa Blanca.”
“En el Jardín Sur, la zona de atrás de la Casa Blanca, se ha levantado una estructura de arcos de casi 30 metros de altura, bautizada como La Garra, para acoger el octágono y a los 4.300 invitados que presenciarán los combates.”
“«Cada vez que Gaethje pelea, todo el mundo piensa que va a perder, pero siempre gana», comentó. «¡Pon un millón, que le den, un millón!»”
“El evento de UFC Freedom 250 en la Casa Blanca comenzará durante la madrugada del domingo 14 de junio al lunes 15 de junio a las 02:00 en horario peninsular. Sin embargo, el combate entre Ilia Topuria y Justin Gaethje no tendrá lugar hasta las 05:00 horas.”
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