In an unprecedented move, the White House will host a mixed martial arts (MMA) event next year on July 4, coinciding with the United States’ 250th Independence Day anniversary.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the news, revealing plans to bring the adrenaline-fueled sport directly to the nation’s most iconic political stage.
Trump’s Longstanding Connection to the UFC
President Donald Trump has frequently attended UFC events over the years, enjoying the high-octane clashes where fighters punch, kick, and grapple their way toward submission or knockout.
White described the upcoming event as a historic first, marking the brutal sport’s entry into the very heart of US political power.
“It is definitely going to happen,” White told CBS. “I talked to him last night – the president – and I’m flying out at the end of this month to walk him through all the plans and renderings.
We’re going to decide together what he wants and doesn’t want.”
Inside the UFC and Its Spectacle
The UFC is the leading organization in MMA, a sport that blends martial arts disciplines such as jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, and wrestling.
Matches are held in an eight-sided ring called “The Octagon,” enclosed by a chainlink fence.
Fighters, both male and female, can use nearly any technique to dominate their opponent, with very few restrictions.
Bouts often end dramatically, with one fighter on the floor taking repeated blows until the referee intervenes.
Its violent and high-stakes nature has made the sport both thrilling and controversial, with medical experts warning about the potential for brain injuries from repeated head trauma.
Ivanka Trump to Play Key Role in Organizing Event
White, a longtime supporter and friend of Trump, revealed that the president’s daughter, Ivanka, would be directly involved in orchestrating the Independence Day spectacle.
“When he called me and asked me to do it, he said, ‘I want Ivanka in the middle of this,’” White told CBS.
Since acquiring the UFC in 2001, White has transformed it from a small, struggling organization into one of the fastest-growing sports promotion companies globally.
Its rising popularity, particularly among young men—a key demographic in the 2024 US election—has made Trump a familiar face at marquee UFC events, often greeted with the enthusiasm of a rock star.
MMA Gains Mainstream Recognition Despite Controversy
While MMA’s violent reputation has drawn criticism from doctors and safety advocates, the sport has steadily gained mainstream acceptance over the years.
Its combination of athletic skill, strategy, and sheer intensity has turned it into a global phenomenon, and next year’s White House event promises to bring that spectacle to an entirely new audience.