In a thrilling revelation, President Donald Trump announced that the White House will host a top-ranked UFC mixed martial arts fight in 2026, coinciding with the festivities for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Speaking at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump, donned in a red “USA” baseball hat, expressed his enthusiasm for the unique event, stating, “We’re gonna have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
During his address, Trump suggested that the UFC will construct an octagon on the White House property specifically for this highly anticipated fight. He emphasized that the event will be a “championship fight, full fight, like, 20, 25,000 people.” This spectacular event is part of the celebrations organized by America250, an initiative set up to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
A spokesperson from the UFC confirmed to Variety that the organization is indeed planning to stage an event at the White House, assuring fans that more details will be released soon. The America250 website highlights that the celebratory events aim to “foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.”
UFC CEO Dana White is known for his strong support of Trump and has attended multiple UFC events in recent months. Reflecting on their longstanding relationship, White noted, “I’ve had this incredible relationship with him for many years.” He recounted that when UFC was struggling to secure venues, Trump reached out to help, “cut a deal, showed up to the first fight, stayed to the last fight.”
Trump’s connection to the UFC community was further highlighted in a TikTok video from 2024, featuring Trump greeting fans at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. In the video, White enthusiastically declares, “The president is now on TikTok,” to which Trump responds, “It’s my honor.” Additionally, White has been a prominent speaker at the Republican National Convention, where he has praised Trump as “one of the most loyal human beings I have ever met.”
In a significant development in the combat sports industry, Endeavor recently merged UFC and WWE under the publicly traded TKO Group Holdings. Earlier this year, Endeavor was taken private in a massive $25 billion deal with private-equity firm Silver Lake. Currently, Endeavor Group Holdings owns 61.7% of TKO’s outstanding stock, marking a transformative era for both organizations.
The upcoming UFC fight at the White House promises to be a historic and unprecedented event, merging sports with national celebration. As the nation prepares for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, fans are eager to see how this unique collaboration unfolds, making history on the grounds of the nation's most iconic residence.
