WASHINGTON — The White House is preparing to host a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bouts on the South Lawn on Sunday evening as part of an event marking President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and celebrations linked to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, according to the White House and UFC officials.
The event, titled “UFC Freedom 250,” is scheduled to feature seven mixed martial arts fights in a temporary arena constructed on White House grounds. Organizers and administration officials have described the event as a first for the presidential residence, which has not previously hosted a major professional combat sports card.
President Trump, a longtime supporter of UFC, has maintained a close relationship with UFC President Dana White for years. White has said the event originated from Trump’s interest in bringing a UFC card to the White House as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
Construction crews spent recent weeks assembling the venue, including the UFC’s signature octagonal cage and a large steel structure known as “The Claw,” according to media reports and photographs from the site. Officials have not publicly detailed the full cost of the installation.
The event has also drawn legal and ethical scrutiny. Two Virginia residents challenged the plan in federal court, arguing that a commercial sporting event should not be held on White House grounds. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta declined to block the event, allowing preparations to continue. Justice Department lawyers argued that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated sufficient grounds to halt the program.
UFC officials have promoted the card as a landmark event. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime, very unique event,” fighter Ilia Topuria said in comments reported by UFC and cited by CBS News ahead of the championship bout scheduled as the main event.
Critics, including government watchdog groups, have questioned the use of federal property for a sports event with commercial sponsors, while supporters have described it as part of broader national anniversary celebrations. Details regarding sponsorship arrangements and operational agreements remain limited.
As of Sunday, workers were completing preparations on the South Lawn and the event remained scheduled to proceed in the evening, with the White House and UFC continuing final arrangements for the fights.
