For the first time in the country’s 250-year history, the White House could host a cage match, serving as the UFC‘s next venue.
On Thursday, Donald Trump announced plans to host a mixed martial arts competition on the White House grounds as part of his year-long celebration for the United States’ 250th birthday, kicking off this July 4, during which he’s expected to sign his controversial One Big Beautiful Bill into law.
“So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” said Trump in his speech in Des Moines, Iowa. “And I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight.”
Trump envisions a “full fight” with 20,000 to 25,000 people in attendance. “Think of this on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there,” he said.
The twice-impeached president celebrated his re-election in November with a victory lap at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“My relationship with Trump is a 20-year relationship,” UFC CEO Dana White previously said last February. “I’ve been friends with this guy for 20 years, and when he shows up to the fights… The guy is a fight fan. He’s been a fight fan.”
White credited Trump for letting the UFC use the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City when he took over as CEO, noting, “Venues didn’t want us.”
Trump’s big US birthday celebration comes after he sparked nationwide “No Kings” protests in opposition to his military parade, held on his 79th birthday under the guise of celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday.
