"Going to be a big deal"
Trump to Host UFC Fight on White House Lawn for America’s 250th Birthday
President says up to 25,000 fans could attend championship bout as part of nationwide America250 celebrations
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the White House grounds will host a full-scale UFC fight next year, potentially drawing up to 25,000 spectators, as part of the celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
The surprising declaration came during a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where the president told supporters that “every one of our national parks, battlefields, and historic sites” will host special events - and the White House will not be left out.
“I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight,” Trump said to cheers. “Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight - think of this - on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
Trump and UFC CEO Dana White have long maintained a close friendship. The president attended UFC 316 in Newark last month, where Julianna Peña fought Kayla Harrison.
“We’re going to build a little - we’re not, Dana is going to do it. Dana is great, one of a kind,” Trump added. “There’s going to be a UFC fight, championship fight, full fight, like 20,000 to 25,000 people, and we’re going to do that as part of ‘250’ also.”
While exact details and logistics remain unclear - including where on the White House grounds the event would be staged The president said the bout would be one of many “incredible events” planned for America250.
“We’ll have some professional events, some amateur events. But the UFC fight is going to be a big deal, too,” he concluded.