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Despite White House UFC fight’s rousing success, Dana White says never again

June 16, 2026 | | Print Article

Even though Sunday’s Freedom 250 mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn was a rousing patriotic success, UFC President and CEO Dana White ruled out another such event in the future.

The star-spangled, testosterone-fueled festival on the South Lawn went off without a hitch despite an early threat of heavy thunderstorms, a crowd-pleasing spectacle marking the nation’s 250th anniversary and President Donald J. Trump’s 80th birthday.

From the joint flyover by Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds that opened the festivities, the president, White, and attendees were treated to music, fireworks, and action under the massive steel structure dubbed “The Claw” that housed the Octagon, a historic event that isn’t likely to ever be replicated.

“It was an amazing experience, this was a one-of-one,” said White. “That will never happen again.”

In response to a reporter’s question as to whether there could be a sequel if Trump says, “That was good, let’s do it again next year,” White dismissed the possibility.

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“I can’t afford it, there’s no f**king way we can do this again,” he said. “I’ll never do the Sphere again, and we’ll never do this again.”

“Hopefully tonight created some unity,” White said after the event, according to the Associated Press. “Even for the people who thought this was going to be some big political statement or something, this wasn’t. This was Americans, all Americans, celebrating the birthday. For people who tuned in for the first time, because it was at the White House, hopefully, they liked the sport. They liked some of the guys’ stories.”

The White House posted several pictures and videos of the big event on its official X account.

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“The UFC at the White House last night was incredible. The weather was scheduled to be horrendous, and it turned out to be PERFECT! So much for weather predicting. The Fighters were outstanding — Bo Nickal, Justin Gaethje, Ciryl Gane, Sean O’Malley, Josh Hokit, Mauricio Ruffy, and Diego Lopes were all unbelievable!” Trump said in a Monday morning post to Truth Social.

“Most people have never seen anything like that kind of human speed and power before. The White House has never looked more beautiful. The setting was unsurpassed! Congratulations to Dana White and his unbelievable UFC,” the president continued. “One of the most exciting days in the History of our fabled White House!”

“It was beyond anything that anybody’s ever seen in sports,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for the G7 summit in France.

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Chris Donaldson
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