Dana White, UFC CEO, shared details about the upcoming UFC event on the White House South Lawn during an interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on September 10, 2025. The event, part of the America 250 celebration for the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary, will feature the octagon on the White House lawn. White described his recent meeting with President Donald Trump, where they reviewed event plans and renderings. Trump approved the concept, and White is now tackling logistics, including strict security measures and a limited live audience.
White Plans Historic UFC White House Event
White said, “So we went to the White House last week, me and my team, and we had the first meeting with [Trump], we laid out all the renderings and we started to get him to sign off on what he likes and doesn’t like, and he loved it. So yeah, now we’re diving in head first. Now all the work starts.”
The fight card will be broadcast live on CBS, with White promising the “baddest card of all time.” Security remains a key challenge due to the Secret Service’s focus on protecting the president.
Dana White says there will be under 5,000 people on the lawn of the White House for the UFC event.
He says there is a park connected to the White House where they can have 85K watching on screens. pic.twitter.com/2c8mTH8V0r
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 10, 2025
White emphasized the unique security hurdles, stating:
“This last time I was at the White House, I went up on the roof of the White House and they got snipers with 50 cals all over the roof of the White House. It’s pretty crazy. But, yes, the security is going to be a massive issue, because at the end of the day, Secret Service’s job is to protect the president, and I don’t know how it’s going to work out as far as having people there live on the lawn of the White House. It’ll be under 5,000 [people] though.”
To accommodate more fans, White plans to use a nearby park, likely Lafayette Square, for a larger audience. He explained:
“There’s a, I can’t remember what they call it, there’s a park that’s connected to the White House, we could put 85,000 people over there with screens, and we’re going to put a big stage out there, do concerts.”
He added, “We’re going to take over Washington, DC that whole week,” with screens and a stage creating a festival atmosphere around the fight card.
No official bouts are confirmed for the White House card, but excitement is building around potential fighters. Conor McGregor has publicly expressed strong interest in competing, posting on X about wanting to fight on the historic card. Jon Jones also voiced his desire to participate, though White called his chances “a billion to one” odds, pointing to Jones’ past legal and disciplinary issues. Colby Covington, backed by Trump, has pushed for a spot and suggested a matchup with Paddy Pimblett. Kayla Harrison, the bantamweight champion, recently met with Trump and White, hinting at a unique fight in the works.
