Trump Proposes UFC Event in Wild Location
President Donald Trump's relationship with the UFC is well-documented. He has attended multiple events, and fighters like Conor McGregor have visited him at the White House, reinforcing the alliance between the MMA promotion and his political brand. The UFC's massive popularity, especially among younger male demographics, makes it a centerpiece for Trump and his supporters, who include the UFC's CEO and President, Dana White.
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Now, Trump has floated a bold and unconventional idea to celebrate America's upcoming 250th anniversary: a UFC championship fight on the White House grounds.
Donald Trump and Dana WhiteEd Mulholland-GettyImages
During a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump revealed his desire for a large-scale event featuring a UFC fight with up to 25,000 spectators as part of the "America250" festivities.
'Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We're going to have a UFC fight. We're going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there,' Trump said.
While the announcement energized Trump's supporters, the feasibility and appropriateness of hosting a violent combat sport on White House property were clearly not in the president's consideration. The White House has never before been used as a venue for a pay-per-view sporting event, let alone a sport with a fan base as rowdy as MMA.
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Overlooked in his proclamation were the logistical hurdles, including Secret Service approvals and crowd control, that could make the plan more aspirational than practical.
The UFC's involvement adds another layer of controversy. While the organization has grown into a mainstream sports powerhouse, it has also faced criticism over fighter pay, benefits, and overall dwindling quality.
As of now, the proposal lacks concrete details, and the idea is likely nothing more than mere political theater. Given Trump's history of controversy, however, the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out.
Related: The UFC Could Be On The Verge Of A Huge Partnership
Related: Dana White & Mark Zuckerberg Announce UFC-Meta Partnership: Enhanced Fan Experience, But at What Cost to Fighters?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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