Loot breaks down two more UFC Freedom 250 main card fights, including Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi and Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis, with betting picks and matchup analysis.
UFC Freedom 250 Main Card Picks
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Where: The White House, Washington, D.C.
TV: Paramount+
Fight Analysis:
Freedom Fights from the White House on June 14 is a massive card, with big names across the entire event. The main card is replete with bouts that could stand as a co-main event on just about any other card. Among those appearing is former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley, fresh off a career-reviving win over Song Yadong earlier this year, taking on streaking contender Aiemann Zahabi, who will be looking for his eighth straight win.
Also on the card is unbeaten heavyweight contender Josh Hokit, who steps up to meet the fearsome-punching Derrick Lewis in a bout where fireworks are almost guaranteed. Let’s break it down!
Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi Pick
Sean O’Malley, 18-3 (12 KOs, 1 Submission), (-400) vs. Aiemann Zahabi, 14-2 (6 KOs, 2 Submissions), (+300)—Odds by Bovada
Ex-bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley battles streaking bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi on the main card of Freedom 250. Getting that win against Song Yadong in January was big for O’Malley after suffering back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili where he lost his belt then lost the rematch.
Maybe it’s good for O’Malley to turn his attention to other 135-pounders after having such trouble with the new champion. Against Yadong, he had a tough fight on his hands, winning narrowly, but now we will see how he does against Zahabi, who is actually seven years older than the more well-known O’Malley at 38. Zahabi will also be giving up several inches in height and reach to O’Malley.
Zahabi’s route to this spot was indeed circuitous, with his career beginning in earnest in Canada in 2012. A nice regional run led him to the UFC in 2017 and after one win, he suffered a KO loss that put him on the shelf. He returned with another loss, followed by another layoff.
But when all looked to be lost, Zahabi started working his way back, winning fights and staying active. Coming off a split decision over Marlon Moraes where he dropped back down to bantamweight, he has won seven straight. Patience and resolve allowed him to get here, one win away from a title shot while pushing 40 years old.
Despite some wins over marginal contenders and names that meant more years ago like Moraes and Jose Aldo, this is a step up for Zahabi in terms of opponent quality and the magnitude of the moment. He’s usually on less-impactful cards and has been further down the card, now appearing in a high-profile spot.
And sure, one can say that maybe O’Malley’s biggest moments are in his rearview, but he’s still up there near the top. With his greater experience and benefitting from Zahabi’s inability to finish fights at this level, I see O’Malley using his movement and edges in height and reach to navigate his way to a decision win. I’m going with Sean O’Malley in this one.
My Pick to Win: I’m betting on Sean O’Malley at -400 odds. Zahabi is on a roll, but hasn’t really shown he can handle this level and might not have the compelling skill set you’d like to see with someone you fancy to beat the likes of Sean O’Malley.
Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis Pick
Josh Hokit, 9-0 (5 KOs, 3 Submissions), (-340) vs. Derrick Lewis, 29-13 (24 KOs, 1 Submission), (+270)—Odds by Bovada
Rising heavyweight contender Josh Hokit battles longtime heavyweight Derrick Lewis on the main card of Freedom 250. Hokit, a former college football player and NCAA wrestling champion, has taken to MMA well, winning the UFC Contender Series and earning a contract.
At 28 and in a wide-open division, Hokit has shown he can be a factor, ending fights quickly and violently. His last fight, a decision over Curtis Blaydes, showed he can rise in class and rely on other things when his wrestling or striking doesn’t end matters early. But now he faces a man who can end things suddenly with one punch, the man who holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history.
Then again, that’s part of the issue for Lewis. When a guy has been around long enough to hold UFC records, it means he’s old. And at 41, coming off a TKO loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta, time might be running thin for the KO artist. He is 4-6 in his last ten.
But taking that mental approach going in against Lewis can be costly. He’s getting older and has been getting some diminished results of late, but his record is still littered with the names of innumerable hopeful heavyweights whose dreams came screeching to a halt at the hands of The Black Beast.
Against Blaydes, we saw some kinks in Hokit’s armor. He got gassed, and we saw some of the flip side of him having ended so many fights early. Not that Lewis is known for stamina and late-round energy, but it’s still an angle for him to exploit, as his power does surface late on occasion.
And with the President having specifically requested Lewis be on the card personally, maybe he’s a little fired up for this, also knowing he can’t afford to sponge too many more losses.
Hokit is much younger and seems to have a bit of crazy in him too. But he seems sort of smallish, like he could almost make light heavyweight if he really tried. And I think if this gets out of the first round, his size and style set up decently for Lewis to sneak in one of those big haymakers.
I realize it’s getting late in the game for Lewis, but I have this sneaking suspicion he is going to pull this one off. I’m taking Lewis.
My Pick to Win: I’m betting on Derrick Lewis at +270 betting odds. I think the Bovada line holds some upside with the KO power Lewis brings, going against a ballyhooed prospect, but an imperfect one nonetheless. And when you’re going against the current in terms of odds, it’s nice for the underdog to possess the fight-ending ability Lewis has.
