Trump plans UFC fight at White House to mark America’s 250th anniversary

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to host a UFC fight on the White House grounds next year as part of a series of events marking the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.

Trump said the celebrations would include both professional and amateur events, with the UFC bout expected to be a major highlight, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“We're going to have some incredible events,” the president told supporters speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on June 3 evening, exactly one year and one day before the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

“Some professional events, some amateur events. But the UFC fight is going to be a big deal, too.”

Although precise details have yet to be released, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that the president is “dead serious” about hosting the event, which has been tentatively dubbed “Rose Garden Fight Night” or even “Oval Office Octagon.” A UFC spokesperson also confirmed the plans.

Trump described the fight as a “championship fight, full fight” and claimed it could attract 20,000 to 25,000 spectators — an ambitious number for the White House lawn. “We have a lot of land there,” he added, noting that UFC chief executive Dana White would be responsible for organising the bout.

Leavitt later posted on social media, “It’s going to be EPIC!”

Trump’s connection with the UFC dates back to 2001, when the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City hosted events for the then-fledgling mixed martial arts organisation.

The president has since maintained close ties with White, who introduced him at the 2020 Republican National Convention and attended his election night celebrations.

In addition to the UFC event, the president previewed other America250 celebrations in his Thursday speech, including a “Great American State Fair,” a large gathering on the National Mall, and an athletic tournament dubbed the “Patriot Games.”

“I think it’s going to be a wild time,” Trump told reporters after returning to the capital.

By Aghakazim Guliyev