Behind the scenes for UFC fighters’ week on the White Home

WASHINGTON — The 14 fighters chosen to take part on the UFC card on the White Home are part of a one-in-a-career occasion that’s seemingly by no means to occur once more. Mixed, these fighters have skilled lots of of combat weeks, however the lead-up to Sunday’s present on the White Home garden is not like any of these.

Sure, there may be media to do and weight to make, identical to every other combat week. However this week in Washington had sightseeing excursions round nationwide monuments in addition to coaching at FBI headquarters and in resort convention rooms late at evening. There have been haircuts, buying sprees and some golf swings, too.

Earlier than UFC Freedom 250 begins, have a look behind the scenes at how fighters have spent their week in Washington.

Images by Carolyn Van Houten for ESPN.

Gane stays unfastened at a golf simulator earlier than remaining coaching begins

UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane takes time to work on his swing in a golf simulator earlier than the complete weight of combat week hits the workforce. He picked up the sport a yr in the past however says he already has plans to play competitively down the street. His older brother, David, describes Gane as a man “everybody can change into mates with,” which is obvious as he bounces across the room, difficult mates to shuffleboard matches between swings. At one level, he finds a random soccer on the ground and begins a full-speed recreation of catch, till the ball bounces into one other group’s bay.

Gane used to brazenly share these mild, enjoyable moments of his life on social media however has pulled again in recent times. In 2023, Jon Jones made dismissive feedback about Gane’s love for video video games earlier than their title combat at UFC 285. Jones steered Gane was distracted from reaching his full potential as a fighter. Gane was shocked the narrative took off and has since been way more protecting in what a part of his life he exhibits followers.

Gane laughs with longtime coach Fernand Lopez contained in the UFC host resort in Washington. Lopez, who the workforce lovingly refers to this morning as “king,” has coached Gane because the starting of his UFC profession and stays one of the influential voices in his camp. Saturday’s combat towards Alex Pereira will probably be Gane and Lopez’s fifth UFC title combat collectively.

Essentially the most tantalizing heavyweight conversations in current reminiscence have revolved round Francis Ngannou, Tom Aspinall, Jones and, now, Pereira — despite the fact that none of these 4 have ever been in the identical combat. On Sunday, Gane will change into the primary (and maybe solely) heavyweight to face all 4. The workforce is 0-2 in these bouts with one no-contest. Lopez says he hasn’t mentioned with Gane the magnitude of getting a win towards Pereira, however the complete workforce feels it.

“We’re manifesting that and dealing towards that,” Lopez says. “We do not speak about it or make it an issue that must be solved. However the best way you may inform if that is on somebody’s thoughts is watching how they prepare. And Ciryl has executed the whole lot he can do for this combat.”

This week feels a bit like a house recreation for Gane as a result of David lives within the D.C. space. David is a former technique guide for Meta and handles a lot of the logistics of Gane’s profession on the enterprise aspect.

Whereas this week is a traditionally distinctive one for the UFC, Gane is used to the stress of a giant combat. He has been in half of a few of the largest heavyweight fights in current reminiscence, scattered throughout Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. He recurrently works with a psychological well being coach, who’s flying to Washington this week from Bahrain for in-person periods with Gane.

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FBI opens its gymnasium to Gaethje

UFC interim light-weight champion Justin Gaethje and his workforce maintain their nightly coaching session within the underground gymnasium of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Headquarters. Gaethje held a seminar with FBI executives and brokers earlier this yr. Gaethje was born within the small mining metropolis of Safford, Arizona, the place a lot of his relations labored in copper mines. Gaethje aspired to change into knowledgeable athlete to keep away from following that path. He wrestled on the College of Northern Colorado earlier than transitioning into skilled MMA. He’s a two-time interim champion and BMF champion. He has fought for the undisputed title twice and misplaced to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. The primary occasion towards Topuria is probably going his remaining shot at successful an undisputed title.

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Daukaus arrives after road-tripping from Philly

Kyle Daukaus arrives on the fighter resort in his brother’s SUV, after a three-hour drive from his dwelling in Philadelphia. Daukaus, 33, would not wish to fly and has pushed to a few of his different UFC fights up to now, together with one at Madison Sq. Backyard. It additionally reminds him of the earliest chapters of his profession, when he fought primarily in Philadelphia and Atlantic Metropolis.

As a part of athlete check-in, Daukaus indicators the UFC Freedom 250 combat poster. Then, Daukaus and his older brother, Chris, stroll the half-mile from the fighter resort to Washington Monument. Daukus, who’s a +145 underdog, in keeping with DraftKings Sportsbook, in his combat towards Bo Nickal, didn’t anticipate the UFC to pick out him for this occasion. “That is historical past,” he tells ESPN. “My identify goes to be on this poster eternally. That is etched in historical past eternally.”

After unpacking his small quantity of bags, Daukus sits down in his resort room to journal. He says it is one of the essential actions he does each day. “I have been working with a psychological coach,” he says. “I attempt to journal within the morning. I do know that if I really feel good all through the combat week, I am going to really feel good on that combat evening.”

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Lodge convention rooms change into coaching floor

Daukaus and his brother get a sweat in later, inside a exercise room that’s designated for athletes all week. Chris, a former Philadelphia police officer and UFC heavyweight, has been at Kyle’s aspect all through his MMA profession. “It is terrifying [watching him fight] as a result of I haven’t got any management,” Chris says. “It is like watching your child go off on their first day of faculty and you don’t have any management over what will occur to them and there is nothing you are able to do to assist. You simply should belief that he can deal with it.”

Daukaus shares the room with a number of different fighters on the cardboard, together with UFC light-weight Michael Chandler. Most athletes reserve their hardest coaching for evenings to set their physique clocks to the time of day they’re going to compete on combat evening.

A former champion in one other promotion, Chandler has misplaced 5 of his previous six bouts however three of these defeats received him combat of the evening bonuses. He campaigned as a lot as any fighter on the roster for a spot on the White Home card, and was seemingly chosen for his observe file of thrilling fights. “I plan on getting my hand raised,” he tells ESPN. “This one’s for me. It is not about proving myself. It is not about making individuals cheer. It is not about placing smiles on the UFC brass’ faces. That is about me getting my hand raised on America’s 250th birthday.”

Alex Pereira joins his workforce for a day exercise on the fighter resort. Pereira, one of many sport’s largest stars, will face Gane for the interim heavyweight championship on Sunday. Pereira is sort of all the time flanked by his longtime hanging coach, Plinio Cruz.

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Topuria meets the media

In each host metropolis, the UFC’s fighter resort turns into a totally operational headquarters. Athletes do the whole lot from media obligations to tools checks to weight chopping contained in the resort. The varied groups cross paths all week — UFC safety is ready forward of time on schedules and potential confrontations between athletes. This week, no workforce comes even near the scale of light-weight headliner Ilia Topuria. A small military of Topuria’s associates accompany him from job to job, practically all of them wearing all black (which is intentional, and deliberate forward). Topuria is without doubt one of the UFC’s largest stars and has drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor for his meteoric rise, unwavering confidence and knockout energy.

Topuria is widely known as one of many high two pound-for-pound fighters on this planet, together with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Topuria’s previous three fights make up one of many biggest stretches within the sport’s historical past. Since February 2024, Topuria has knocked out featherweight greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and longtime light-weight champion Charles Oliveira. The 29-year-old is so assured, he and his workforce have deliberate a celebration dinner in Washington the evening earlier than UFC Freedom 250. Topuria likes to rejoice his victories earlier than they occur. He did so publicly forward of his combat towards Oliveira and knocked him out within the opening spherical.

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Pereira prepares for his heavyweight debut

Pereira sits down with social media influencer and barber Vic Blends for his signature, combat week head shave. Pereira, of São Paulo, Brazil, is well-known for this transformation of look earlier than each combat, in addition to face paint and headdresses at weigh-ins. The weigh-in look is to honor his roots to the Indigenous Pataxó tribe in Brazil. The shaved head, he says, is extra for followers.

“It is my trademark and I do know the individuals are anticipating that,” Pereira tells ESPN. “I assume I do really feel a bit stronger once I look within the mirror with the shaved head. I do not know if it modifications or intimidates any of my opponents, but when it does, stunning. We’ll all the time use that.”

If Pereira defeats Gane, he’ll change into the primary fighter within the 32-year historical past of the UFC to win a belt in three totally different weight lessons. UFC CEO Dana White has mentioned if Pereira wins, White will think about him to be the best fighter of all time, surpassing former two-weight champion Jon Jones. Pereira’s final combat was on the 205-pound mild heavyweight restrict. He additionally received a title at 185 kilos, which required a drastic weight reduce each time he fought.

Former UFC light-weight champion Glover Teixeira is Pereira’s grappling coach and mentor. He grew to become the UFC’s oldest first-time champion in 2021, when he captured the belt at 42 years previous. In anticipation of Pereira’s transfer to heavyweight, the workforce began its camp in Teixeira’s hometown in Sobralia, Brazil. Based on Plinio Cruz, the technique was for Pereira to coach, hike and luxuriate in bulking up with a giant Brazilian food plan. “Glover had on his farm a chef, ready for us each lunch,” Cruz says. “Brazilian picanha, the highest steak in Brazil. It was simply onerous work and beef. We received him huge.”

Pereira’s workforce is extremely tight, touring the world collectively. After they spent a month in Sobralia, Pereira hosted an occasion through which he raffled off home equipment — fridges, washers and dryers — to native residents in want. He bought the gadgets in Sobralia, moderately than a big, neighboring metropolis the place they might have been far inexpensive. “He needed to purchase them in Sobralia to assist the native financial system,” Teixeira says.

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Chandler greets his household

Chandler greets his spouse, Brie, and two sons, Hap and Ace, who’ve simply flown in from their dwelling in Nashville. Earlier within the week, Chandler had scoped out the highest ground of the resort and found a balcony the place the Octagon and “claw” construction are seen on the South Garden. He instantly takes the boys there to share his pleasure for the occasion.

Chandler has had one of the fascinating and distinctive MMA careers of the previous decade. Whereas he was the reigning light-weight champion in Bellator MMA, the previous All-American wrestler at Missouri was thought-about among the best fighters on this planet to by no means combat within the UFC.

Following an 11-year run in Bellator, Chandler lastly moved to the UFC in 2021 and has been concerned in iconic fights towards Gaethje, Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. His file, nevertheless, has been 2-5. He admitted to ESPN this week that the lengthy wait to get into the UFC created some need on his half to ship essentially the most entertaining fights potential.

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O’Malley transforms into ‘Suga Sean’

Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, one other one of many sport’s largest stars who was all the time anticipated to make an look on the cardboard, prepares for the UFC’s once-in-a-lifetime information convention on the Lincoln Memorial together with his daughter, Elena. His spouse, Danya, is the proprietor of Hairapy Salon & Boutique in Peoria, Arizona, and dyes O’Malley’s hair a unique shade earlier than each combat.

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Lopes rolls with an Olympian

Featherweight Diego Lopes, who faces Steve Garcia within the opening bout of UFC Freedom 250, greets his wrestling coach, David Taylor, for the primary time on the fighter resort and instantly will get in a night exercise. Taylor is without doubt one of the most completed U.S. wrestlers of all time. He received a gold medal on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and was a two-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion at Penn State. He’s presently the top wrestling coach at Oklahoma State.

Taylor started working with Lopes, who’s from Brazil, in 2025, however that is the primary time Taylor will probably be Lopes’ cornerman for a combat. In truth, Sunday on the White Home will mark the primary time Taylor has ever labored a nook in an MMA combat.

“First time,” Taylor tells ESPN. “Clearly, my background will not be in MMA, however I feel when it comes to being round high-level occasions and the preparation that goes in, I feel I am going to deliver a degree of calm.”

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Garcia picks up souvenirs on the mall

Garcia, of Albuquerque, walks the Vogue Centre at Pentagon Metropolis together with his workforce and father, Steve Garcia Sr. The UFC Freedom 250 combat card is exclusive in that it solely options seven fights, in comparison with the standard 13 or 14 bouts. The abbreviated card is loaded with athletes who’re thought-about to have entertaining kinds. That features Garcia, who has received 4 combat evening bonuses in his profession.

Maybe in anticipation of successful one of many UFC-record $425,000 combat evening bonuses on Sunday, Garcia splurges on the mall, strolling away with a $600 Pokémon Lego set and a brand new swimsuit for the upcoming prefight information convention on the Lincoln Memorial, which he confirmed off with an old school wedding ceremony “first look” divulge to his father.

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Zahabi and GSP placed on for Canada

Aiemann Zahabi exhibits off his customized swimsuit alongside his coach and brother, Firas, and mentor, fellow Canadian Georges St-Pierre. The three are pressured to kill time as they wait out a lightning delay for the information convention on the Lincoln Memorial. Zahabi, and each different fighter on the cardboard, wants to chop weight forward of Saturday morning’s weigh-in, so the two-hour delay will not be splendid. Zahabi smiles and takes it in stride.

“That is why Dana selected us for this card,” Zahabi tells ESPN. “We’re all attempting to do one thing nice. No matter punches are thrown at us throughout this, we’ll take it, in any other case we would not be right here. I actually do not know when I’ll combat on Sunday, with the potential climate delays, however it’s cool as a result of we’ll have a narrative to inform.”

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Struggle weekend begins on the Lincoln Memorial

Following a two-hour rain delay, throughout which law enforcement officials clear the complete space of spectators on account of lightning, the Lincoln Memorial offers an unforgettable backdrop for the UFC Freedom 250 information convention. Regardless of the climate, the complete west aspect of the Reflecting Pool fills with UFC followers. Rain is presently within the forecast for Sunday, however in what is going to seemingly show to be his remaining phrases to the general public on the matter, White guarantees fireworks for the U.S. 250th birthday.

“Completely satisfied birthday, America,” White says to open the weekend. “The present goes on, it doesn’t matter what. I am sick and uninterested in speaking in regards to the climate. We’re combating on Sunday evening on the garden of the White Home, it doesn’t matter what.”