How to watch UFC Freedom 250 and what to watch for during the card on the White House South Lawn

UFC is set to hold its first event on the White House South Lawn with a mixed martial arts show timed for President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

UFC Freedom 250 is set for Sunday night.

UFC CEO Dana White is friends with the president and the two have discussed for more than a year the idea of bringing mixed martial arts to the White House.

Their relationship dates to UFC’s infancy as White reorganized the company and led its rise into national prominence.

The cage and stage will themselves be surrounded by thousands of temporary seats, including ringside space for a full marching band that can set the entire scene to blaring music. The Zac Brown Band will perform the National Anthem.

The fight card is part of a series of events celebrating the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4, 1776. Other planned events include an IndyCar race that will pass by the White House.

The main card airs live only on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

There was some initial discussion that the show would be simulcast on television via CBS. The show instead will only air domestically on the subscription service. Paramount, which is controlled by the Ellison family, also close allies of Trump, this year became the new home to UFC events across the United States

It was a shift away from UFC’s long-time pay-per-view model. Paramount and UFC parent company TKO said the change will allow the mixed martial arts programming to reach more consumers nationwide.

Paramount+ plans start at $8.99 a month.

The card has been panned by fans online as underwhelming and features just two championship fights.

Brazil’s Alex Pereira will meet France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria then takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.

There are five other fights on the main card that include former title-fight participants Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis and former 135-pound champion Sean O'Malley.

White says the outdoor show will go on rain or shine.

The mid-week forecast on Weather.com called for rain showers early with overcast skies late Sunday and temperatures around 70 degrees around the time of the first fight.

The main venue has 4,500 seats but thousands more are expected to watch in the open air at the Ellipse, a prominent public park south of the White House.

AP MMA: https://apnews.com/hub/mixed-martial-arts

Construction continues on the arena on the South Lawn of the White House for a future UFC mixed martial arts fight, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Construction continues on the UFC mixed martial arts arena on the South Lawn of the White House, left, and the ballroom, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

A man rests on the grass near the Washington Monument as workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, seen center top, Monday, June 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, left, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Washington, as work also continues on the construction of the ballroom, right. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

TORONTO (AP) — Sean Burke and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, Colson Montgomery hit his 24th home run and the Chicago White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday.

Braden Montgomery had two hits and an RBI as the White Sox bounced back from Saturday’s 1-0 loss to take two of three from the Blue Jays. Toronto scored five total runs in the series.

Chicago won five of six against Toronto this season, outscoring the Blue Jays 29-12.

Burke (7-4) allowed two hits in 6 2/3 innings, improving to 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA over his past six appearances. He walked one and struck out five.

Bryan Hudson got four outs and Grant Taylor finished for his fifth save in eight chances.

Toronto had two hits through eight innings before Ernie Clement reached on an infield hit to start the ninth. Nathan Lukes followed with a bunt single, and Clement moved to third on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s liner to right. Taylor ended it by getting Kazuma Okamoto to ground into a double play.

Bryan Hudson replaced Burke after Daulton Varsho’s two-out single in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Alejandro Kirk grounded out on Hudson’s first pitch.

Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (4-5) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He walked two and matched his career high by striking out nine.

Chicago opened the scoring on Andrew Benintendi’s sacrifice fly in the fourth, then added a pair of two-out runs in the sixth.

Colson Montgomery fell behind 0-2 against Yesavage before hitting a 388-foot homer. Benintendi followed with a double and scored on Braden Montgomery’s single.

White Sox: RHP Erick Fedde (5-6, 4.15 ERA) is expected to start at Texas on Monday against Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (7-5, 3.49).

Blue Jays: RHP Dylan Cease (6-4, 2.56 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday against Rays RHP Nick Martinez (8-2, 2.65).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Players and coaches of the Toronto Blue Jays recognize a moment of silence on the announcement of the passing of former Blue Jays pitcher Duane Ward prior to the start of the game against the Chicago White Sox in MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke (59) throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)