The most repeated question among fans of the MMA this week is very simple: when does Ilia Topuria fight? And the answer is generating more confusion than usual because this time the fight will not be held during the classic early hours of Saturday to Sunday.
The lightweight champion will headline the historic UFC Freedom 250 against Justin Gaethje in an unprecedented event that will take place at the White House in Washington D.C., becoming one of the most mediatic evenings in the history of the UFC. The organization has confirmed that the event will be held on Sunday, June 14 in the United States, which means that in much of Europe the main card will be played during the early hours of Monday, June 15.
The confusion among many Spanish fans comes precisely because of that change of day. Usually the big numbered cards of the UFC are held on Saturday night in the United States and are followed in Spain during the early hours of Sunday morning. However, UFC Freedom 250 completely breaks that tradition.
What time does UFC Freedom 250 start?
The UFC has confirmed that the main card will begin at 8:00 p.m. East Coast time in the United States (ET), from the White House lawn. The preliminaries will start several hours earlier.
These are the starting times of the main card:
- Spain (mainland): 02:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15.
- Canary Islands: 01:00 a.m. on Monday.
- United Kingdom: 01:00 a.m. on Monday.
- Portugal: 01:00 a.m. on Monday.
- France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands: 02:00 a.m. on Monday.
- Argentina: 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Chile: 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Uruguay: 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Brazil: 21:00 on Sunday.
- Mexico: 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Colombia: 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Peru: 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Ecuador: 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Venezuela: 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- United States (ET): 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- United States (PT): 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
What time does Ilia Topuria fight?
Although the exact length of a card can UFCnever be guaranteed because it depends on the results of the previous fights, all forecasts place the fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje as the last fight of the night.
Taking as a reference the official start time and the usual structure of the large numbered events, the Spanish-Georgian champion is expected to make his walk to the octagon between approximately 04:45 and 05:30 in the morning in Spain. Various specialized media place the fight around 05:00 Spanish time.
Approximate time of the main fight:
- Spain (mainland): between 04:45 and 05:30 on Monday.
- Canary Islands: between 03:45 and 04:30.
- United Kingdom: between 03:45 and 04:30.
- Argentina: between 23:45 and 00:30.
- Chile: between 10:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
- Mexico: between 8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Colombia and Peru: between 9:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- United States (ET): between 23:45 and 00:30.
- United States (PT): between 8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Where to watch the UFC Freedom 250 in the UK?
Spanish fans will be able to follow the UFC Freedom 250 through HBO Max, which will offer the broadcast of the historic White House event. The evening will also be available through the sports channels associated with the platform, maintaining the same broadcasting system used for the major events of the UFC during the last months.
The event will mark Topuria's first defense of the lightweight belt since conquering the division and will be one of the biggest challenges of his career. Facing him will be Justin Gaethje, interim champion and one of the most dangerous fighters in the entire UFC.
Therefore, for Spanish fans, the recommendation is clear: the alarm should sound during the early hours of Monday morning. This time, Ilia Topuria does not fight on the classic Saturday night. The most anticipated fight of the year will come in the early hours of Sunday to Monday.