Dana White says UFC White House fight is real for U.S. 250th birthday, Trump pitched the idea
Fighters to walk out of the Oval Office on the South Lawn; attendance limited to under 5,000; weigh-ins reportedly at the Lincoln Memorial; date pushed from July 4 to June, per reports
Dana White said on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast that the UFC’s planned White House event to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday is real, and that it was President Donald Trump who suggested the idea. “I didn’t ask -- he brought it up to me,” White said, describing Trump as proud of the White House and eager to use it as a stage for events that bring Americans to the residence. White added that Trump’s pitch reflected a belief that the White House belongs to the people and that the two have discussed using the grounds for youth events, holiday celebrations and other special occasions.
White laid out several details that have circulated about the event, including the notion that the fighters would walk out of the Oval Office, with the action moving to the South Lawn as the backdrop. “The fighters are gonna walk out of the Oval Office,” he said, underscoring that the spectacle would take place on federal property rather than at a conventional arena. He stressed that the event is not about gate receipts: tickets will be scarce—fewer than 5,000 attendees—yet White framed the moment as a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “This is a one-in-one, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never happen again,” he said.
Image: Dana White with Donald Trump
White described a long-standing friendship with Trump, noting that the former president has long supported UFC’s growth. He recalled the early days when UFC faced skepticism from venues, sponsors and media, and said Trump was among the first public supporters of the sport. “The best thing about being friends with him is that he’s a great guy… Think about when we started the UFC, and he had us come to the Taj Mahal,” White said, referencing Trump’s Atlantic City casino. He added that Trump has checked in on White’s career over the years and was among the people who helped UFC navigate a challenging trajectory. White also noted that Trump has attended UFC events and that White spoke at the Republican National Convention when Trump first pursued the presidency.
The logistics surrounding the White House event remain in flux. The Wall Street Journal reported that weigh-ins were being planned at the Lincoln Memorial, and that the initially announced date of July 4 had been pushed back to June due to scheduling and security considerations. White did not provide a final date, but the move aligns with the paper’s reporting about a June timeframe and a pre-fight weigh-in location tied to a national monument. The specifics—including the final lineup, broadcast plans and any formal sponsorships—have not been announced publicly, and White’s remarks indicated that approvals and security clearances would still shape the event’s ultimate form.
The discussion comes as White and Trump have repeatedly crossed paths in public appearances and interviews over the years, highlighting a shared willingness to stage dramatic moments centered on UFC’s unique brand. White’s account to a popular podcast underscores the extent to which the idea has evolved from a rumor to a plan, pending formal approvals and security clearances. The event would join a slate of commemorations tied to the nation’s birthday celebrations, with organizers framing it as a patriotic showcase rather than a traditional sports spectacle.