What to know
- UFC President Dana White says the White House will host a UFC cage fight on the South Lawn next Independence Day.
- White discussed the plan with former President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump, with venue renderings already in progress.
- No fighters have been announced, but Trump says the event could draw 25,000 people for a “championship fight.”
UFC President Dana White has confirmed plans for a major cage fight to be held on the South Lawn of the White House. Speaking with the Wall Street Journal, White said the event will take place on Independence Day next year, calling it a done deal.
White explained that the idea came directly from former President Donald Trump. “When he called me and asked me to do it, he said, ‘I want Ivanka in the middle of this,’” White said. He added that Ivanka Trump reached out to work with him on the location and design, leading to renderings of the setup.
CBS News reported that White spoke with Trump earlier this week and will meet with him and Ivanka at the end of the month to finalize details. A source familiar with the planning confirmed the White House expects the event to happen.
Trump first floated the idea of a UFC fight at the White House during a rally last month. At the time, he told the crowd, “We’re going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House… Dana’s great. One of a kind.” He said it would be a “championship fight” and estimated the venue could hold up to 25,000 people.
White and Trump have maintained a close friendship for years, with Trump regularly attending UFC events and often receiving loud applause from fans as he enters the arena. No fighters have yet been announced for the White House event.
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