The White House will host a live Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event next year as one of the many events celebrating the 250th anniversary of US independence. UFC president Dana White confirmed that the fight was “definitely” going ahead and shared that she remained in contact with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to finalize the plans.
America 250 Celebrations Will Be One-of-a-Kind
The fight night would be the first-ever UFC bout hosted on White House grounds, introducing a fresh new event to the 4 July calendar. The President and White have a long-running partnership dating back to the 2000s, when Trump’s Atlantic City properties gave UFC a home during the sport’s early struggles to gain mainstream appeal.
The specific location of the match remains undecided. UFC bouts traditionally take place in arenas with thousands of spectators surrounding the iconic eight-sided octagon in the center. Trump has suggested constructing a temporary fighting enclosure on the South Lawn, accommodating up to 25,000 fans. If achieved, the bout will rank among the top 10 most attended UFC matches in history.
Ivanka reached out to me, and she and I started talking about the possibilities, where it would be, and, you know, I put together all the renderings.
Dana White, UFC president
According to President Trump, the UFC bout would be part of a year of events leading up to the USA’s 250th anniversary in 2026. National parks and historic landmarks across the nation will also host special programs throughout the year. Events have already launched in several states, celebrating the nation’s history and values.
A White House Bout Will Be a Huge Boon to the UFC
The UFC arena will mark another addition to the growing list of high-profile changes to the White House that President Trump has undertaken during his second term. Some of his renovations include a new gold-plated interior to the Oval Office, redesigning the Rose Garden, introducing two large flagpoles on the central lawns, and a proposed $200 million ballroom project for the East Wing.
We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.
US President Donald Trump
The decision to host a UFC fight in the White House coincides with a significant broadcast shift for the Championship. CBS parent company Paramount recently sealed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal for UFC media rights. UFC will abandon its long-running pay-per-view model in favour of live streaming on Paramount+ and some CBS simulcasting.
While the details of the upcoming White House UFC bout remain shrouded in mystery, the combination of live combat sports, a milestone national celebration, and the involvement of the President will likely draw the attention of MMA fans worldwide. If the event proceeds as planned, it could mark an unprecedented moment in UFC’s history and add to the Fourth of July’s storied heritage.