President Donald Trump has never been one to think small and now he is pitching a UFC fight on the White House lawn, with up to 25,000 fans, as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.
Speaking in Iowa at the kickoff event for America 250 festivities, Trump outlined a sweeping vision for the milestone, including national park events, a youth sports competition, and what could be the most controversial of them all: a mixed martial arts showdown on federal grounds.
“We have a lot of land there,” Trump said of the White House property, floating the idea of a “full fight” UFC event. Known for his long-standing friendship with UFC president Dana White, Trump has become a fixture at recent pay-per-view events, often drawing roaring applause from crowds.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed the proposal wasn’t just off-the-cuff. “He’s dead serious,” she said, though details remain scarce.
The idea aligns with Trump’s ongoing embrace of combat sports culture, a tactic that’s helped him appeal to younger, largely male audiences. Since his 2024 re-election, he’s appeared cageside multiple times, often flanked by White and other UFC figures.
While critics may bristle at the spectacle, supporters see it as classic Trump showmanship, a bold, if unconventional, tribute to American grit and entertainment.
