WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has confirmed it is planning to host a historic fight card on the grounds of the White House, an unprecedented event proposed by President Donald Trump to take place on July 4, 2026. The proposed event would be a central part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, known as the semiquincentennial.
President Trump first announced the ambitious idea during a public appearance in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday. “We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House,” President Trump said, envisioning a massive spectacle. “We have a lot of land there.” He projected the event, which he suggested would include a title fight, could accommodate a crowd of 20,000 to 25,000 people.
A spokesperson for the UFC verified the plan to news outlets on Friday, confirming the promotion’s involvement. However, specific details about the fight card, logistics, and planning stages remain under wraps. The spokesperson stated that more information would be made available “in due time,” leaving the exact status of the event’s development unclear for now.
The proposed fight is part of a broader vision President Trump has for the nation’s birthday. “Every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250. And I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight,” he explained.
The announcement quickly generated buzz within the mixed martial arts community. Famed former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, who has not fought since a leg injury in July 2021, signaled his strong interest in returning for the potential event. “I would be honoured,” McGregor wrote on social media. “Count me in!”
The collaboration highlights the long-standing and close friendship between President Donald Trump and UFC President Dana White. White has been a prominent and vocal supporter of President Trump, frequently appearing at his campaign rallies. After winning the 2024 election, President Trump brought White onstage to personally thank him for his support in the campaign.
President Trump has maintained a consistent presence at major combat sports events. Days after his inauguration, he attended a UFC pay-per-view card at New York’s Madison Square Garden. His deep ties to the world of fighting extend back to the 1980s, when he hosted numerous marquee boxing matches at his hotels in Atlantic City.
