Washington, D.C., August 12, 2025 – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to make history by hosting its first-ever fight event on the grounds of the White House, UFC President Dana White confirmed on Tuesday. The fight night is scheduled for July 4, 2026, coinciding with the United States’ 250th birthday, and will be broadcast live on CBS.
During a recent interview with The Associated Press, Dana White enthusiastically stated, “It’s absolutely going to happen. Think about that—the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.” The event promises to be a landmark moment, combining the spectacle of UFC’s combat sports with a historic national celebration [1][2][5].
The landmark announcement follows President Donald Trump’s initial revelation last month that he intended to hold a UFC match on the White House grounds as part of the country’s semiquincentennial festivities. Plans suggest that up to 20,000 spectators may be in attendance, making it a significant public gathering and a unique venue for a UFC card [1][2][3][4].
Dana White is expected to meet later this month in Washington, D.C., with President Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump to work out event logistics. This marks a critical step toward realizing the unprecedented convergence of professional cage fighting and the nation’s most symbolic residence [2][3][4].
White promised fans “the baddest card of all time,” hinting that many top fighters are eager to participate. Notably, Jon Jones, who recently retired, has re-entered the drug-testing pool and is training again, motivated by the prospect of fighting at this historic event. Conor McGregor, one of UFC’s most high-profile athletes, has also expressed interest in competing at the White House fight night. White acknowledged the possibility of Jones and McGregor appearing on the same card in the nation’s capital [1].
This extraordinary event is part of UFC’s ongoing evolution and expansion. The upcoming fight at the White House comes on the heels of UFC’s massive $7.7 billion rights deal with Paramount, set to begin in 2026. Under this deal, UFC will eliminate its pay-per-view model; instead, all major UFC events, including 13 numbered cards and 30 Fight Nights annually, will be streamed exclusively on Paramount+, with select events airing on CBS at no additional cost to viewers [1][2][3][4].
Looking back, the UFC’s trajectory has been remarkable: from a struggling company purchased for $2 million in 2001 by the Fertitta brothers who installed Dana White at the helm, to becoming one of the top global sports brands. The fight promotion company was previously sold for $4 billion in 2016 and has forged high-profile broadcast partnerships with Fox, ESPN, and soon Paramount [4].
White emphasized the UFC’s ambition, stating, “Just when it seems there’s little left for UFC to conquer, there’s always more. Why stop at becoming the biggest fight game in the world? We’re coming for all of them,” referencing major sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA [4].
The UFC fight at the White House will be a historic convergence of political symbolism and sporting entertainment, marking the first time a professional fight card will be held on the grounds of the nation’s executive residence. It signals the maturation of the UFC brand and its unprecedented cultural influence. The July 4, 2026 event is anticipated to be a one-of-a-kind celebration of American independence and combat sports history.
Key Event Details:
- Date: July 4, 2026
- Location: White House South Lawn, Washington, D.C.
- Broadcast: Live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+
- Attendance: Estimated up to 20,000 spectators
- Notable Fighters: Jon Jones (confirmed training), potential participation by Conor McGregor
This event represents a historic milestone for the UFC, the White House, and American sports culture as a whole.