A plan to stage an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn is moving forward with a tentative date in June and discussions underway to hold fighter weigh-ins on the Lincoln Memorial steps, according to a report.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the tentative June timeframe and the possible weigh-in site Friday. President Donald Trump announced in July that “we’re going to have a UFC fight — think of this — on the grounds of the White House,” and UFC chief executive Dana White has publicly confirmed plans to hold the event on the South Lawn.
White reconfirmed the plan last week after meeting with Trump administration officials in Washington, according to the report. The lawn event is intended to be part of observances honoring America’s 250th anniversary, and organizers have acknowledged it would result in more limited access for spectators than a typical commercial arena event.
“It’s going to be awesome. The White House fight is on,” White said publicly after initial discussions. “I will have more details on that in the next couple weeks. But we got it done today.”
Officials have not released a formal schedule, ticketing plans or a list of fighters expected to participate. A White House spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Journal report cited discussions among White House and UFC officials but did not say whether the plan is finalized.
Hosting a professional mixed-martial-arts event on the White House grounds would mark a departure from more traditional presidential events such as state dinners, ceremonies and concerts that have appeared on the South Lawn in the past. The choice to stage weigh-ins at a prominent public monument would also create logistical and security considerations for the U.S. Park Police and the Secret Service.
The proposed use of the Lincoln Memorial steps for weigh-ins would involve coordination with the National Park Service, which manages the monument, and other federal agencies. Organizers and officials will need to address permitting, crowd control and monument protection if the plan advances.
The reported June timing would place the event in the months leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, which the administration has flagged for a range of celebratory activities. The Journal said more detailed planning is expected in the coming weeks as officials work through logistics and security arrangements.
As of publication, neither the White House nor the UFC had released a public schedule or confirmed specific operational plans beyond the public statements by Trump and White indicating an intent to stage the event on White House grounds. The developments were reported by the Wall Street Journal and covered by other outlets.
