It was confirmed on Friday that plans are in motion for a UFC fight to take place at the White House as part of the United States’ 250th birthday celebration in 2026. The news follows former President Donald Trump’s public announcement of the idea during a speech in Iowa on Thursday, per The Athletic 's Mark Puleo.

On Friday, the mixed martial arts organization confirmed to NBC's Greg Rosenstein its plans to host an event at the White House. Trump first publicized the idea, proposing it for America's 250th birthday celebration on July 4, 2026.

The UFC, once a sport few networks wanted to televise, has grown into one of the most popular and talked-about sports worldwide. While CEO Dana White has played a huge role in this growth, the fighters themselves have been the true driving force behind its rise.