THE UFC’s main event for their eagerly anticipated White House card has finally been announced.
For months, fans around the world have been wondering who will headline the historic June 14 card.
The UFC will hold a historic event at the White House on June 14Credit: REUTERS
He’ll throw down with lightweight counterpart Ilia TopuriaCredit: Zuffa LLC
And the answer to that burning and fiercely debated question was finally revealed by CEO during the 326 broadcast early on Sunday morning.
Topping the Presidential punch-ups is a showdown between Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
A showdown with Islam Makhachev was top of fans’ wishlists for Topuria since he vacated the featherweight title to move up to 155lbs, but Gaethje gets the nod.
The White House was seemingly set to be headlined by ‘ return to the cage.
The Hall-of-Famer entered talks with the promotion about ending his cage hiatus and headlining the card late last month month.
A fight with fellow former two-division champion was in the offing for the former pound-for-pound king.
Islam Makhachev became a two-division champion at UFC 322 last NovemberCredit: Zuffa LLC
Topuria is set for a shoot-out with GaethjeCredit: Zuffa LLC
Especially after the the Brazilian bruiser vacated his light-heavyweight title to complete a seemingly inevitable move up in weight.
But the fight Jones and some MMA fans have been hoping to come to fruition for the last two years, for some reason, gone by the wayside.
Instead, Alex Pereira will face Cyril Gane for the interim heavyweight title.
Elsewhere, Sean O’Malley will also be in action as well as Bo Nickal.
The full announced card below:
Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje – UFC lightweight title
Alex Pereira vs Cyril Gane – Interim UFC heavyweight title
Sean O’Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi
Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler
Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus
Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia
It seems fairly obvious that Conor McGregor was probably supposed to be in Mauricio Ruffy’s spot and Jon Jones was the ideal foil for Pereira ahead of Cyril Gane.
One thing that fans will not like is the lack of a female fight on the card.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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