Donald Trump is moving ahead with plans to host a UFC fight on the South Lawn next year.
The president’s buddy and UFC Chief Executive Officer Dana White was seen entering the White House last week to pitch the idea for a high profile fight in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
After their meeting last week, White told his 10.7 million Instagram followers: ‘The White House fight is on. We got it done today.’
People involved in the planning tell the Wall Street Journal that the event will take place some time in June 2026.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka joined by phone for an hour meeting with the president and White to discuss details, according to people familiar with the event.
Ivanka, who practices Brazilian jujitsu and is a fellow fan of UFC, will be involved in the planning.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) plans to have a large presence in Washington, D.C. ahead of the event with multiple days of festivities on the National Mall.
This could include autograph sessions with UFC stars and punching bag setups for visitors to test their fighting acumen.
UFC Chief Executive Dana White (left) visited the White House last week to meet with Donald Trump (right) to plan a fight at the White House for June 2026
Trump is a big fan of UFC and has a longstanding friendship with White. Pictured: Trump, White, FBI Director Kash Patel, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk and his son watch a UFC fight in Miami, Florida on April 12, 2025
The mixed martial arts throw down is expected to pull out all the usual bells and whistles, including lasers, fireworks, the UFC’s octagon cage and thousands of spectators.
But instead of the usual enclosed arena, usually held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the fighters will be outside and flanked by the White House on one side and the Washington Monument on the other.
It’s also expected that jumbo screens will be erected on the Ellipse park just south of the White House so more people can watch the historic event.
‘This will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history, and President Trump hosting it at the White House is a testament to his vision to celebrate America’s monumental 250th anniversary,’ lauded Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
Trump and White have a longstanding friendship.
The UFC CEO was selected to introduce Trump at the Republican National Convention over the summer, and the two have been seen sitting side-by-side at UFC fights in the past.
Critics have decried Trump’s proposal to host a fight as undignified.
But it’s not unprecedented for presidents to hold sporting events on the White House’s South Lawn.
The president’s daughter, Invaka Trump, will help organize the fight and attended by phone a planning meeting with her father and Dana White last week
Ivanka Trump shared to her Instagram images of her practicing Brazilian jujitsu
It’s likely that the UFC Octagon will be set up on the South Lawn of the White House – and jumbo screens will be erected nearby so thousands can watch the fight
President Warren G. Harding hosted tennis matches at the White House in the 1920s.
And eight decades later, President George W. Bush turned the South Lawn into a T-ball field and his successor President Barack Obama would invite friends over for pickup basketball games.
Sports have often been interwoven with politics.
Lawmakers hold annual benefit softball and baseball games, and presidents have for decades hosted championship teams and coaches for all major sports at the White House.
In February, Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NFL Super Bowl.
Trump shakes hands with American fighter Jon Jones after his victory in the UFC heavyweight championship fight in Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024
President George W. Bush held a t-ball game on the White House South Lawn during his presidency
And President Barack Obama would invite friends over for pickup games of basketball at the White House
On the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the president will attend a Yankees game in New York City and will go back north later this month to watch golf’s Ryder Cup in Long Island.
Trump boasts how the U.S. will host FIFA’s World Cup along with Mexico and Canada under his watch.
He also pushed to get the 2027 NFL draft to be held on the National Mall and toward the end of his second term, Los Angeles will serve as the host city of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Trump aides claim they’re already being badgered by lawmakers and friends for tickets for the UFC fight next year.
