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MMA·PREVIEW·June 12, 2026 09:14 AM ET

Ariel Helwani, Anthony Smith Preview Historic UFC White House Card

Anthony Smith analyzes Alex Pereira's heavyweight edge.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 121 min read
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We did a late night show with Anthony Smith deep-diving the White House card. Anthony was phenomenal. Great analysis. Via @arielhelwani on X

What happened: Ariel Helwani and UFC veteran Anthony Smith hosted a deep-dive preview of the historic UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House. Smith provided technical analysis of the event's high-stakes matchups, including Ilia Topuria's title defense and the interim heavyweight championship bout.

Why it matters: The event marks the first UFC card ever held on the White House grounds, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Smith identified Alex Pereira as the most reliable fighter on the card, citing his striking IQ and defensive timing as major advantages in the heavyweight division.

What to watch: UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled to begin Sunday, June 14, at 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+.

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