Trump to Host First-Ever UFC Cage Fight on White House Lawn

The White House is preparing for an unprecedented event on Sunday, when President Donald Trump will host a formal UFC cage fight on the South Lawn. The show is meant to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and celebrate what organizers call the American fighting spirit. It is also set to take place on Trump’s 80th birthday, inside a 28-meter steel structure nicknamed “the claw,” with about 4,000 invited guests and extraordinary federal security costing millions of dollars.

The event reflects Trump’s long relationship with UFC president Dana White. In 2001, White and partners bought the struggling UFC for $2 million, at a time when mixed martial arts faced broad political hostility. Former senator John McCain had once called it “human cockfighting,” and the sport was banned in 36 U.S. states. White has said Trump helped save the organization by giving it access to Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City for two key events when no major venue would take it.

Since then, UFC has become a global business, with its value rising from $4 billion in 2016 to $12 billion in 2023. But the White House event has triggered intense criticism and a federal anti-corruption lawsuit, which says Trump is using public office to enrich himself and allies. The suit cites public records showing Trump bought $15,000 to $50,000 in TKO shares in March, and says the event is tied to sponsorships, broadcast rights and advertising sold around the White House and Lincoln Memorial. The White House rejects the allegations and says Trump’s assets are in a blind trust run by his children.

UFC says it is spending $60 million on the production, including $700,000 to restore the South Lawn afterward, and expects no profit from the night. Federal and local authorities are allocating $10 million to $12 million for security and road closures in Washington. Invitations are limited to government and security officials plus the president’s guests, while the public will watch on big screens at a fan zone near the Ellipse. The main fight will feature featherweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. Historians say the event is unlike anything ever held at the presidential residence, where past gatherings were cultural or ceremonial, not a combat sport.