Donald Trump has announced an unprecedented plan to host a UFC title fight on the grounds of the White House during the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
According to the US Sun, the former president unveiled the proposal during a speech in Iowa, revealing that he and longtime ally UFC President Dana White may coordinate the unique event, which could draw between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators.
Trump shared the ambitious idea during remarks Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, where he addressed supporters. He described the event as a key part of the country’s semiquincentennial festivities, marking a quarter-millennium since America's founding in 1776.
Trump announced that the planned fight would take place outdoors and pointed to the ample space on the White House lawn. “We have a lot of land there,” he said, assuring the crowd that Dana White and his team would handle all the necessary infrastructure.
The concept would mark a historic first: hosting a professional mixed martial arts championship at the official residence of the U.S. president. If realized, the event could symbolize Trump’s ethos of mixing spectacle with national messaging.
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is set to partner with Trump on the project. Their collaboration spans over two decades, beginning well before Trump entered politics.
White has credited Trump with helping the UFC take off in its early years. At a time when venues were unwilling to host MMA events, Trump invited the organization to hold fights at his now-defunct Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“He saw that this thing could possibly be big,” White said, reflecting on Trump's early support. The Trump Organization hosted two UFC events during that period, and Trump reportedly attended each one in full.
On social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed the seriousness of the proposal. “The president is dead serious,” she wrote, signaling the administration's commitment to making the event happen.
Trump and White’s personal friendship has endured for years, with White publicly backing Trump's 2016 presidential bid. The mutual admiration has remained visible throughout Trump's political career, especially through appearances at major UFC events.
Just a few weeks before his Iowa announcement, Trump attended UFC 316 in New Jersey. His visible presence at the high-profile event fueled speculation about his continued interest in the sport's cultural reach.
Trump, known for merging political events with pop culture, seized on the opportunity to mix patriotic celebration with athletic spectacle. At the Iowa event, he emphasized that the fight would be one of many national tributes planned for 2026.
“We’re going to have a UFC fight — think of this — on the grounds of the White House,” Trump told his audience, adding that it would be a full-fledged championship event. He described Dana White as “one of a kind” and praised his ability to make the event happen.
The proposed attendance figure rivals that of large sports venues, suggesting a significant scale for the operation. Trump seemed confident in the feasibility, reiterating that Dana White would “build a little” to transform the grounds into a fight-ready arena.
Though officials have not set a date yet, the prospect of staging such a massive event at the White House has already captured national attention. Organizers will likely face logistical, security, and administrative hurdles before confirming the venue.
The idea also underscores Trump’s unique approach to public celebrations, incorporating dramatic events to underscore patriotism and unity. Officials have yet to release details about seating, ticketing, or television broadcasting for the proposed fight.
As America prepares for its 250th birthday, this plan may become a centerpiece of the year-long celebration. Whether met with fanfare or critique, the fusion of the White House and the UFC offers a moment unlike any in the nation's history.
