{"id":86664,"date":"2026-06-09T15:42:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T05:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=86664"},"modified":"2026-06-09T15:42:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T05:42:43","slug":"ufc-freedom-tips-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/06\/ufc-freedom-tips-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Freedom Tips &amp; Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;Cirl&nbsp;Gane for the heavyweight championship in the co-main event.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My thoughts and tips for UFC Freedom 250 are below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-entain-racing-sports-tip\">\n  <section class=\"entain-block tips-block\" id=\"Zeh_D8mWdM0Cz\"  >\n  <div class=\"tip-type-racing-sport hoverable open\" >\n    <div class=\"tip-header\">\n      <div class=\"tip-header-icon\">\n        <div class=\"tip-category\"  >          <div class=\"icon icon__svg\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-icon.svg?v=20250815a#mma\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div>        <\/div>\t\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"tip-header-meta\">\n        <div class=\"tip-header-meta__inner\">\n          <div class=\"title\">Justin Gaethje vs Illia Topuria <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"bet-on\">Tips: 2 Units Fight\u00a0To\u00a0Start Round 3 @ $2.35 + 1\/2 Unit Fight\u00a0To\u00a0Go\u00a0The\u00a0Distance @ $6.50\u00a0<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n              <\/div> <!-- end tip-header-meta -->\n    <\/div> <!-- end tip-header -->\n    <div class='tip-content'>\n            <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The fighting resume of Illia Topuria is quickly becoming one that will stand up against any fighter that the UFC has ever seen.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The fact that he is unbeaten during his 17 professional MMA fights is one\u00a0thing\u00a0but nine of those have been in the UFC and just two have needed the\u00a0judges\u00a0decision.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He is one of a handful of UFC champions to win belts in two separate divisions and if he wins on\u00a0Monday\u00a0will become just the fourth fighter to defend belts in two divisions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amanda Nunes, Randy Couture and Daniel Cormier being the others.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The GOAT debate is always a difficult challenge but in his last three fights he has beaten three that always feature when it arises.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He knocked out Alexander Volanovski, Max\u00a0Holloway\u00a0and Charles Oliveira all within\u00a018 months.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Representing\u00a0the United States on this massive occasion will be Justin Gaethje who is undoubtedly one of the most popular fighters in the sport.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the second time in his illustrious\u00a0career\u00a0he claimed the interim UFC Lightweight belt when defeating Paddy Pimblett in\u00a0January\u00a0but he has not been shy about his goal of winning the undisputed title.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He failed twice in title fights against Nurmagomedov and Oliveira but bounced back\u00a0immediately\u00a0to put himself right back in the picture and has earned one more shot before inevitable retirement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The damage that\u00a0Gaethje\u00a0can cause was blatantly\u00a0evident\u00a0when he dismantled Tony Ferguson and Paddy\u00a0Pimblett\u00a0and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0hard to envision a world in which Topuria leaves the octagon the same way he enters.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Illia Topuria is the deserving\u00a0favourite\u00a0no\u00a0doubt\u00a0but he has come up incredibly short considering he is facing a guy that is so durable.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is not a more\u00a0well rounded\u00a0fighter in the sport and can handle himself no matter how the fight\u00a0goes\u00a0but there is some value to be made in the fight lasting longer than the punters believe it will.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n                   <div class=\"tip-button\">\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/mma\/ufc-freedom-250-topuria-vs-gaethje\/ilia-topuria-vs-justin-gaethje-main-card\/7417f222-8af8-401f-bd0f-98781086bcca\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"7417f222-8af8-401f-bd0f-98781086bcca\" data-tr-event-id=\"7417f222-8af8-401f-bd0f-98781086bcca\"  \n          >Bet Now: Gaethje vs Topuria <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div> <!-- end tip-content -->\n  <\/div> <!-- end tip-type-racing-sports -->\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-entain-racing-sports-tip\">\n  <section class=\"entain-block tips-block\" id=\"UsJlM0T7wCam_\"  >\n  <div class=\"tip-type-racing-sport hoverable open\" >\n    <div class=\"tip-header\">\n      <div class=\"tip-header-icon\">\n        <div class=\"tip-category\"  >          <div class=\"icon icon__svg\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-icon.svg?v=20250815a#mma\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div>        <\/div>\t\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"tip-header-meta\">\n        <div class=\"tip-header-meta__inner\">\n          <div class=\"title\">Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane\u00a0<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"bet-on\">Tip: 2 Units Fight Not\u00a0To\u00a0Start Round 3 @ $2.25\u00a0<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n              <\/div> <!-- end tip-header-meta -->\n    <\/div> <!-- end tip-header -->\n    <div class='tip-content'>\n            <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If we are talking about the greatest UFC fighter of all\u00a0time\u00a0then Alex Pereira has to be included and a victory this Monday at Heavyweight solidifies his spot without question.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Brazilian would be the first UFC fighter to win titles in three separate divisions which is a truly incredible feat.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0not talking about the GOAT of MMA.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0including all combat sports.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Let\u2019s\u00a0not forget he was a double\u00a0champ\u00a0in Glory Kickboxing as well before he ever entered the UFC.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Being in the heavier weight classes gives him the advantage when\u00a0attempting\u00a0something like\u00a0this, but\u00a0also means he has had his losses along this incredible path.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Izzy flat lined him at\u00a0Middleweight\u00a0and he had\u00a0a very rare\u00a0off night against Magomed\u00a0Ankalaev\u00a0this time last year, a loss that he avenged seven months later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Like his opponent, Cyril Gane had a quick ascension in the sport.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He made his MMA debut in August 2018 and within three years he had claimed the interim UFC Heavyweight title.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In fact, to this day, he has two losses on his professional MMA\u00a0record\u00a0and they were to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From all reports Alex Pereira has filled out\u00a0really well\u00a0in his rise to the heaviest weight class in the\u00a0sport\u00a0but he faces one of the bigger opponents possible.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But I actually think this is a good thing for him.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n                   <div class=\"tip-button\">\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/mma\/ufc-freedom-250-topuria-vs-gaethje\/alex-pereira-vs-ciryl-gane-main-card\/40ff7d28-f781-4c39-85bd-816ac90d42e4\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"40ff7d28-f781-4c39-85bd-816ac90d42e4\" data-tr-event-id=\"40ff7d28-f781-4c39-85bd-816ac90d42e4\"  \n          >Bet Now: Pereira vs Gane\u00a0<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div> <!-- end tip-content -->\n  <\/div> <!-- end tip-type-racing-sports -->\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-entain-racing-sports-tip\">\n  <section class=\"entain-block tips-block\" id=\"RDKs3dEL7sLN3\"  >\n  <div class=\"tip-type-racing-sport hoverable open\" >\n    <div class=\"tip-header\">\n      <div class=\"tip-header-icon\">\n        <div class=\"tip-category\"  >          <div class=\"icon icon__svg\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-icon.svg?v=20250815a#mma\"><\/use><\/svg><\/div>        <\/div>\t\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"tip-header-meta\">\n        <div class=\"tip-header-meta__inner\">\n          <div class=\"title\">Sean O\u2019Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"bet-on\">Tip: Sean O\u2019Malley By KO\/TKO @ $2.85\u00a0<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n              <\/div> <!-- end tip-header-meta -->\n    <\/div> <!-- end tip-header -->\n    <div class='tip-content'>\n            <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is Sean O\u2019Malley the superstar we thought he was that simply\u00a0ran\u00a0into Merab Dvalishvili who simply had his measure?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After winning the UFC Bantamweight title in spectacular fashion in 2023 against Aljamain Sterling and then defending against\u00a0Chhito\u00a0Vera, the world was at his feet.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But then came those\u00a0back to back\u00a0losses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He has a good opportunity to get back to a title fight with a win\u00a0here\u00a0and this looks the kind of occasion and opponent where he will thrive.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n                   <div class=\"tip-button\">\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/mma\/ufc-freedom-250-topuria-vs-gaethje\/sean-o-malley-vs-aiemann-zahabi-main-card\/faa119d1-53b6-4a84-9630-f77135d666a9\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"faa119d1-53b6-4a84-9630-f77135d666a9\" data-tr-event-id=\"faa119d1-53b6-4a84-9630-f77135d666a9\"  \n          >Bet Now: O\u2019Malley vs Zahabi\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div> <!-- end tip-content -->\n  <\/div> <!-- end tip-type-racing-sports -->\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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&nbsp;Cirl&nbsp;Gane for the heavyweight championship in the co-main event.&nbsp; My thoughts and tips for&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":86665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[463],"tags":[2161],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-86664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ufc","tag-ufc-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"09\/06\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86664"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86666,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86664\/revisions\/86666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86664"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=86664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}