Keeping Score

Trump says 4,500-seat arena will be built for UFC fight at White House

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by Dominick Mastrangelo - 04/13/26 1:43 PM ET

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by Dominick Mastrangelo - 04/13/26 1:43 PM ET

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President Trump detailed new plans for a UFC fight the league is planning on the White House grounds in June.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of big events, I have never had an event that has had more interest than the UFC fight we have right at the front door,” Trump told reporters gathered outside the Oval Office on Monday.

“Right there,” the president said, pointing to the South Lawn, “they’re going to start building a 4,500 seat arena.”

“And then in the back at the Ellipse, we’re going to have 100,000, maybe 50 [50,000] to 100,000 people, I guess,” he continued. “They’re building tremendous stages, and we’re going to have massive screens of the fight. It’s a very popular sport.”

UFC, headed by Trump ally Dana White, in March announced its full card of bouts for “UFC Freedom 250,” an event timed to coincide with President Trump’s 80th birthday on June 14.

The event is slated to pit Lightweight fighters Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje against one another for the night’s main event, and feature other fights, such as a clash between Brazilian Alex Pereira and France’s Ciryl Gane.

“UFC Freedom 250,” is one of just several events scheduled for this year to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country.

White is a noted Trump supporter and stumped for the president at the 2024 Republican convention.

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