President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a full‑scale UFC championship fight could be held on the White House grounds next year as part of the nationwide “America 250” celebration marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump — a well‑known UFC fan and longtime friend of UFC boss Dana White — said the event could draw 20,000 to 25,000 spectators. "Think of this — on the grounds of the White House," he said. "We have a lot of land there. … Dana is going to do it."
The proposed UFC event would be one of several major spectacles during the yearlong commemoration leading to July 4, 2026. Trump also detailed plans for a massive fair on the National Mall and athletic competitions for high school athletes
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump is “dead serious” about the UFC proposal, though officials have offered no further logistical details. UFC officials and TKO Group Holdings, the sport’s corporate owner, have not yet responded to the announcement
Trump has made UFC attendance a regular part of his public profile, earning him the nickname “Combatant in Chief.” He most recently sat ringside at a June event in Newark, New Jersey, alongside Dana White.