UFC Event Held on White House South Lawn on Trump's 80th Birthday Amid Lawsuit Over Use of Grounds

UFC bouts took place on the White House South Lawn on June 14, 2026. The card, branded UFC Freedom 250, coincided with President Trump's 80th birthday and the United States' 250th anniversary. A memorandum of understanding with Iran was announced the same day.

More than 4,000 spectators attended, including the vice president, cabinet members, VIPs and active military members. S. Navy Blue Angels performed a flyover that opened the program during the national anthem.

U.S. Marine Band performed throughout the evening. Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by fourth-round TKO in the main event to win the UFC lightweight title. Gaethje bloodied Topuria's face in the third round, after which a ringside doctor examined the fighter before the bout resumed.

Ciryl Gane knocked out Alex Pereira in the second round of the co-main event to claim the interim heavyweight title. Diego Lopes, Bo Nickal, Mauricio Ruffy, Josh Hokit and Sean O'Malley won the five earlier bouts. Sean O'Malley knocked out Aiemann Zahabi in the second round of their bantamweight bout.

Josh Hokit knocked out Derrick Lewis in the second round of their heavyweight bout. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and UFC President and CEO Dana White entered the octagon after the main event. The crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to the president during the card.

Fireworks lit the sky over the Washington Monument. The event cost $60 million, France 24 reported. A lawsuit challenged the use of the South Lawn for the private event. The fights concluded without reported incidents on the grounds.