Topuria, Pereira and full UFC White House card face media at Lincoln Memorial
The entire UFC White House fight card held its pre-event press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on Friday night, with champion Ilia Topuria, former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira, and the rest of the card fielding questions from the media.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria and former two-division champion Alex Pereira joined the full UFC White House fight card for a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on Friday night, one of the most distinctive settings the promotion has used for a pre-fight media event.
Topuria, who defends his title against Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House card on Sunday, was among the headliners taking questions alongside Pereira, whose rivalry with Josh Hokit has continued to simmer in the build-up to the event.
The Lincoln Memorial backdrop gave the occasion an unusual atmosphere even by UFC standards, with the full card assembled in front of the press at the iconic D.C. landmark.
Pereira’s bout has drawn additional attention after Israel Adesanya — the Brazilian’s long-time rival — publicly backed his former foe to make history at the event. The support from Adesanya underlines how much is at stake for Pereira on Sunday.
The Topuria-Gaethje main event has generated significant interest, with both fighters expected to bring their trademark aggression to what promises to be a high-stakes lightweight title contest.
Read also
-
MMA ·Lopes backs big-fight experience to overcome Garcia's seven-fight streak at UFC White House
-
MMA ·Former Invicta atomweight champion Ferreira embraces underdog tag for PFL debut in Lagos
-
MMA ·Chimaev vows to 'take his head off' as he rules out move to light heavyweight
-
MMA ·Blaydes warns Hokit's chin won't survive heavyweight long-term after Lewis fight booked
-
MMA ·Federal judge clears the way for UFC's White House event after last-minute lawsuit fails
-
MMA ·Hokit fires back at Pereira after heavyweight champion hints UFC could cut him