The White House is set to host an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event next year as part of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations on 4 July.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the plans during an appearance on CBS Mornings, saying: “It is definitely going to happen.” The event will mark the first time a UFC fight has been held at the White House.
White, a long-time ally of President Trump, said he is set to meet with the president and his daughter Ivanka at the end of the month to finalise details. A White House official also confirmed the event to the BBC.
Trump’s connection with the UFC dates back to the early 2000s, when he hosted some of the promotion’s earliest events at his business properties. According to White, Trump requested Ivanka be closely involved with the planning process. “She and I started talking about the possibilities, where it would be, and I put together all the renderings,” White said.
While an exact location has not yet been confirmed, Trump previously suggested the fight could take place on the grounds of the White House, with seating for up to 25,000 spectators. UFC events are typically held in large arenas centred around the promotion’s iconic eight-sided cage, the Octagon.
“We’re going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House,” Trump told supporters at a 4 July event in Iowa, hinting at wider celebrations taking place across US national parks and historic sites.
The UFC fight is the latest initiative by Trump to place his personal stamp on the White House during his second term. His administration has already made sweeping changes to the historic residence, including redecorating the Oval Office with gold accents, paving over the Rose Garden lawn, adding two large flagpoles, and announcing a $200 million ballroom to be built in the East Wing.
Trump was also seen walking on the roof of the West Wing last week, saying he was “looking at another way to spend my money for this country.”
The announcement follows a major broadcasting deal between the UFC and Paramount, which owns CBS. The seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement comes shortly after the Trump administration approved a controversial merger between Paramount and Skydance — a deal that included commitments made by the companies before approval.