Ciryl Gane claims interim heavyweight title at White House UFC event, Trump touts victory at G7
French fighter Ciryl Gane defeated Brazil's Alex Pereira by TKO in the second round to claim the interim UFC heavyweight championship, as the promotion staged an event at the White House, the first time a UFC cage had been placed on the South Lawn, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
The fight
Ciryl Gane dispatched Alex Pereira by technical knockout in the second round of their heavyweight bout. After a measured first round, Gane landed a right hand that sent the Brazilian to the canvas early in the second. He followed with a flurry of punches until the referee waved off the bout. Gane, 36, lay on the canvas for several seconds before rising to celebrate with his team.
Pereira, a former two-division champion moving up to heavyweight, accepted the loss:Everyone knows I'm a good athlete and I have good technique, but above all I have a strong mind.
It was a risk to take. If I hadn't taken risks, I wouldn't be where I am today.
A White House stage
The UFC Freedom 250 event was held on the South Lawn, with the cage set beneath a metallic arch dressed in American colors, the Washington Monument visible in the background. President Donald Trump, who turned 80 the same day, sat cageside with First Lady Melania Trump and UFC president Dana White. The evening was billed as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Trump's birthday. After the finish, Gane shook hands with Trump, who remained at the fence throughout the bouts.
Strickland crashes the party
Sean Strickland, the UFC's middleweight champion, was not part of the fight card but entered the adjacent fan zone, causing a commotion. Police evacuated him from the grounds, a moment he appeared to find amusing, laughing as he was led away. The U.S. Park Police said in a statement that his "unexpected presence drew significant attention among attendees, causing disturbances." Strickland, a vocal critic of Trump and Israel, had previously claimed he was banned from the event because of his views.
Diplomatic praise
Hours later, Trump had arrived at the G7 summit in Evian, France, where he raised the fight with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron replied that he had not watched live but saw it in the morning and was "very proud of Ciryl."I want to congratulate the president because yesterday, Ciryl Gane won his fight against an excellent fighter, who many said was unbeatable. Ciryl is French, did you see the fight?
- Ciryl Gane defeats Alex Pereira by TKO to win interim heavyweight title
- Sean Strickland removed by police after crashing fan zone
- Donald Trump praises Gane's victory to Emmanuel Macron at G7 summit
What comes next
With the interim belt around his waist, Gane immediately set his sights on the undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has not competed since his October 2025 bout with Gane, which ended in a no-contest after Gane accidentally poked him in the eye. The Briton has since undergone two eye surgeries. Gane told the crowd and Dana White:
He later told reporters he envisions either the Accor Arena or a venue near the Eiffel Tower.Let's do it in Paris in September.
