One of the most unique and exciting sporting events takes place this Monday (Australia) as the UFC heads to the White House for Freedom 250.
Former Featherweight and current Lightweight champion Illia Topuria will continue his ascension to becoming one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport when he takes on Justin Gaethje in the main event.
Alex Pereira is looking to become the first athlete in the history of the UFC to win belts in three separate divisions when he takes on Cirl Gane for the heavyweight championship in the co-main event.
My thoughts and tips for UFC Freedom 250 are below.
The fighting resume of Illia Topuria is quickly becoming one that will stand up against any fighter that the UFC has ever seen.
The fact that he is unbeaten during his 17 professional MMA fights is one thing but nine of those have been in the UFC and just two have needed the judges decision.
He is one of a handful of UFC champions to win belts in two separate divisions and if he wins on Monday will become just the fourth fighter to defend belts in two divisions.
Amanda Nunes, Randy Couture and Daniel Cormier being the others.
The GOAT debate is always a difficult challenge but in his last three fights he has beaten three that always feature when it arises.
He knocked out Alexander Volanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira all within 18 months.
Representing the United States on this massive occasion will be Justin Gaethje who is undoubtedly one of the most popular fighters in the sport.
For the second time in his illustrious career he claimed the interim UFC Lightweight belt when defeating Paddy Pimblett in January but he has not been shy about his goal of winning the undisputed title.
He failed twice in title fights against Nurmagomedov and Oliveira but bounced back immediately to put himself right back in the picture and has earned one more shot before inevitable retirement.
The damage that Gaethje can cause was blatantly evident when he dismantled Tony Ferguson and Paddy Pimblett and it’s hard to envision a world in which Topuria leaves the octagon the same way he enters.
Illia Topuria is the deserving favourite no doubt but he has come up incredibly short considering he is facing a guy that is so durable.
There is not a more well rounded fighter in the sport and can handle himself no matter how the fight goes but there is some value to be made in the fight lasting longer than the punters believe it will.
If we are talking about the greatest UFC fighter of all time then Alex Pereira has to be included and a victory this Monday at Heavyweight solidifies his spot without question.
The Brazilian would be the first UFC fighter to win titles in three separate divisions which is a truly incredible feat.
And I’m not talking about the GOAT of MMA. I’m including all combat sports.
Let’s not forget he was a double champ in Glory Kickboxing as well before he ever entered the UFC.
Being in the heavier weight classes gives him the advantage when attempting something like this, but also means he has had his losses along this incredible path.
Izzy flat lined him at Middleweight and he had a very rare off night against Magomed Ankalaev this time last year, a loss that he avenged seven months later.
Like his opponent, Cyril Gane had a quick ascension in the sport.
He made his MMA debut in August 2018 and within three years he had claimed the interim UFC Heavyweight title.
In fact, to this day, he has two losses on his professional MMA record and they were to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.
From all reports Alex Pereira has filled out really well in his rise to the heaviest weight class in the sport but he faces one of the bigger opponents possible.
But I actually think this is a good thing for him.
He is a sniper with that brutal left hook of his and the fact he has no problem standing in front of his opponent has me confident this ends quickly.
Is Sean O’Malley the superstar we thought he was that simply ran into Merab Dvalishvili who simply had his measure?
After winning the UFC Bantamweight title in spectacular fashion in 2023 against Aljamain Sterling and then defending against Chhito Vera, the world was at his feet.
But then came those back to back losses.
He has a good opportunity to get back to a title fight with a win here and this looks the kind of occasion and opponent where he will thrive.