UFC Freedom 250 draws 17 million viewers on Paramount+

UFC Freedom 250, held on the White House South Lawn on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, drew 17 million total viewers on Paramount+, setting a new record for a live event on the platform. The event's headline fight saw 37-year-old Justin Gaethje, a 6-to-1 underdog, defeat Ilia Topuria by TKO in Round 4 to claim the lightweight title, while Ciryl Gane won the interim heavyweight championship by TKO over Alex Pereira in Round 2. UFC President Dana White described the event as a 'one-of-one,' noting the production cost exceeded $60 million and could not be repeated.