Throw some hot dogs on the grill and cue up the Bruce Springsteen — the U.S. of A. is celebrating its 250th birthday with a good old-fashioned backyard brawl. In one of the most anticipated events in combat sports history, MMA’s brightest stars will collide on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night at UFC Freedom 250.
The historic card comprises seven bouts, including two title fights, headlined by a lightweight championship bout between undefeated titleholder Ilia Topuria and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Topuria is a massive -520 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Gaethje is a +390 underdog, with the total set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC Freedom 250. Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6 for my favorite picks for Sunday’s UFC event.
Ilia Topuria More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Georgian superstar Ilia Topuria (17–0, 9–0 UFC) is riding one of the most dominant runs in the UFC’s history, capturing both the featherweight and lightweight championships while cracking chins once likened to bedrock. He has bulldozed through Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in succession — becoming the first man to stupefy the Hawaiian fan-favorite.
One of the most gifted strikers that the sport has ever seen, Topuria is primed to add another “Highlight” to his reel against interim champ Justin Gaethje (27–5, 10–5 UFC). All five of the Americans’ losses have come by stoppage, including three knockouts and punctuated by the iconic buzzer-beater KO against Holloway at UFC 300.
Ciryl Gane More Than 1:30 Control Time
Brazilian fan-favorite Alex Pereira (13–3, 10–2 UFC) — whose nickname quite literally translates to “Stone Hands” — checked into fight week carrying an additional 50 pounds of mass for his heavyweight debut, pouring another layer of concrete on his wrecking-ball left hook. Naturally, former heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane (13–2, 10–2 [1 NC] UFC) would like to avoid playing Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em with the leveled-up knockout artist.
Known for his elite Muay Thai base, Gane should emphasize clinch exchanges to thwart Pereira’s momentum. While “Poatan” flashed strong takedown defense in his first run-in with Magomed Ankalaev, he got smothered against the cage and surrendered 5:42 of control time en route to a decision loss. Following this blueprint, Gane could look to tie up Pereira in the clinch and accumulate at least 1:30 of control.
Sean O’Malley More Than 14:55 Fight Time
The UFC’s “Next Conor McGregor” hasn’t lived up to his superstar billing in quite some time. After reaching the bantamweight apex behind a catalog of viral finishes, Sean O’Malley (19–3, 11–3 [1 NC] UFC) hasn’t produced a stoppage since his flash knockout of Aljamain Sterling for the title in August 2023. He’s batting .500 in four bouts since, three of which have gone to the judges’ scorecards.
The hair-dyed former champ will likely struggle to put away Aiemann Zahabi (14–2, 8–2 UFC), who has only been stopped once in his career — nearly a decade ago. Likewise, the Canadian vet has fought to four straight decisions, forecasting that, despite being heavily favored, O’Malley isn’t getting off work early.
Josh Hokit More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit (9–0, 3–0 UFC) may be one of the promotion’s most polarizing breakout stars, but he rarely leaves room for debate once the cage door closes. And he certainly isn’t concerned about what the judges have to say.
Before prevailing in a Fight of the Year contender with Curtis Blaydes in April — a bout that cinched his late addition to the White House card — “The Incredible Hok” boasted a 100% finish rate across eight career fights, highlighted by five knockouts. His first two trips to the Octagon resulted in a pair of first-round stoppages.
Hokit has injected new life into the big-boy division, and he’s well-positioned to pulverize another pillar of the old guard. While future Hall of Famer Derrick Lewis (29–13, 20–11 UFC) owns the UFC record with 16 knockouts, he’s also been neutralized eight times in his career. That includes his latest bout against Waldo Cortes-Acosta in January, getting dropped by a feathery jab and rolling over for a boo-inducing TKO loss.
Mauricio Ruffy More Than 30.5 Significant Strikes
Few fighters enjoy getting punched in the face more than Michael Chandler (23–10, 2–5 UFC). The explosive, oftentimes reckless, modern-day gladiator prioritizes fanfare above all, engaging in must-see clashes with the 155-pound elite. While he rarely wins, Chandler is as resilient as they come. “Iron Mike” has absorbed more than 30.5 significant strikes in four of his last five bouts, eating more than double that figure against the likes of Justin Gaethje (116), Charles Oliveira (88), and Paddy Pimblett (80).
He may not be getting his super-fight with Conor McGregor, but the American veteran will face the next-closest thing Sunday night in Brazilian knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy (13–2, 4–1 UFC). The Fighting Nerds product employs the same brand of flashy kickboxing once made famous by “Mystic Mac,” and he should have no problem piling up significant strikes against someone 11 years his elder.
Diego Lopes More Than 36.5 Significant Strikes
American featherweight Steve Garcia (19–5, 8–2 UFC) specializes in putting opponents away early, with seven of his eight wins inside the Octagon coming by knockout or TKO. He has absorbed single-digit significant strikes in four of his last five bouts, including just two in his last time out — a first-round KO against David Onama in November.
However, the “Mean Machine” could be in for the long haul on Sunday, facing his toughest test yet in perennial contender Diego Lopes (27–8, 6–3 UFC). The full-throttle Brazilian hasn’t been finished since 2018. He has also landed more than 36.5 significant strikes in five straight bouts, all against top competition, including a pair of title bouts with division GOAT Alexander Volkanovski and a clash with knockout artist Jean Silva.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice, and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
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