U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a major Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event will be held at the White House on his 80th birthday, marking the first time the combat sport will take place at the seat of American political power.
Speaking to a crowd of Navy sailors at the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, Trump revealed that the highly anticipated fight would be staged on June 14 next year, which coincides with his birthday. “On June 14 next year, we’re going to have a big UFC fight at the White House — right at the White House, on the grounds of the White House,” he said.
Earlier, UFC President Dana White had announced that the event was originally planned for July 4, 2026, to coincide with America’s 250th Independence anniversary. However, Trump’s latest statement confirms that the showdown will now be tied to his personal milestone celebration.
Trump, who has long been a fan of the sport, frequently attends UFC events and enjoys a strong rapport with Dana White. He is often greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, particularly among young male fans — a demographic that played a crucial role in the 2024 U.S. elections.
On his 79th birthday this year, Trump held a grand military parade to honor the founding of the U.S. Army. Next year’s UFC spectacle appears set to surpass that celebration in scale and attention.
During a recent press briefing shared on UFC’s official YouTube channel, Dana White teased the upcoming event, saying, “Early next year, we’ll start building the White House fight card, which I can tell you will be the greatest fight card ever assembled in the history of this company.”
The UFC, known for its intense and physically demanding fights, features competitors skilled in multiple martial arts disciplines such as jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, and wrestling. The matches take place inside the iconic Octagon, an eight-sided ring enclosed by a chain-link fence. With limited restrictions — aside from prohibiting eye-gouging — fighters can use almost any technique to overpower their opponent.
While the UFC has grown into a global sporting powerhouse, it remains controversial due to its violent nature and high risk of head injuries. Despite medical concerns, the sport continues to gain mainstream popularity and attract record-breaking audiences worldwide.
The planned White House UFC event is expected to draw international attention, blending the world of politics, sports, and entertainment in a way never seen before.
