DC Defenders Defeat Michigan Panthers to Win 2025 UFL Championship

St. Louis, MO - The DC Defenders won the 2025 United Football League (UFL) Championship with a 58–34 victory over the Michigan Panthers on June 14, 2025, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

The game featured one of the highest-scoring performances in league history. DC’s 58 points set a UFL record and marked the first time a team scored more than 50 points in a championship contest. The Defenders established control early, scoring on their first 10 offensive possessions and building a substantial lead by halftime.

A decisive stretch came in the second quarter, when DC outscored Michigan 31–6. That surge allowed the Defenders to carry momentum through the remainder of the game, despite continued scoring efforts by the Panthers.

DC quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was named Championship MVP after completing 21 of 28 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens contributed six receptions for 132 yards as part of a balanced and efficient offensive performance.

Michigan, representing the USFL Conference, reached the championship game after defeating the Birmingham Stallions in the conference title matchup. The Panthers continued to score throughout the game but were unable to overcome DC’s early lead.

The Defenders earned their championship berth as winners of the XFL Conference. The victory marked DC’s first UFL title since the league’s formation following the merger of the XFL and USFL.

The championship game was attended by approximately 14,500 fans and was broadcast nationally on ABC, drawing just under one million viewers.