UFC Freedom 250 Delayed by Thunderstorms: New Start Time is 9 PM ET
The UFC's historic White House event won't begin on time after all.
With thunderstorms looming over Washington, D.C., UFC officials announced Sunday that UFC Freedom 250 would be delayed by one hour, pushing the start of the card from 8 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET.
The event, which is being held on the South Lawn of the White House, marks one of the most ambitious and unusual productions in UFC history. But even the world's biggest MMA promotion couldn't avoid the weather forecast.
Why Was UFC Freedom 250 Delayed?
According to reports, organizers decided to postpone the start of the event because of the threat of thunderstorms moving through the Washington area.
Weather forecasts called for a significant chance of storms during the original start window, with conditions expected to improve later in the evening.
The UFC had previously indicated it planned to proceed through rain, but lightning remained a major concern.
Unlike rain or wind, lightning can force officials to suspend action immediately for safety reasons.
Live radar of the weather in DC right now, UFC 250 is facing a rain delay.
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) June 15, 2026
Oh boy...#UFCWhiteHousepic.twitter.com/1PyvCDpvsd
Dana White Previously Addressed Weather Concerns
Earlier in the week, UFC CEO Dana White made it clear that weather alone wouldn't stop the event.
"I don't care if it snows, rains, whatever; we're going," White told reporters.
He added that lightning would be the one factor capable of forcing a temporary stoppage.
"You'd sit the lightning out, and then when it was over, you played. That's what we'll do," White said.
As forecasts became more concerning Sunday evening, UFC officials ultimately chose to delay the start rather than risk interruptions shortly after the event began.
What Is the New UFC Freedom 250 Start Time?
The event is now scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
Fans watching from home can stream the card live on Paramount+.
The seven-fight card is expected to run approximately four hours, though additional weather developments could potentially impact the schedule.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM.