Donald Trump talks with Dana White, left, during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, November 16, 2024. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
The UFC is set to hold one of the most unusual events in its history on June 14, and it will not follow the usual rules of the game. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would violate one of its long-standing rules for the White House card, forcing changes it has avoided for years.
A White House card like no other before
UFC Freedom 250, often referred to as the “UFC White House” card, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 14, 2026 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence (1776-2026) and the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump. While the event was initially proposed for the Fourth of July to coincide directly with Independence Day celebrations, it was eventually moved to June 14 to coincide with Flag Day and Trump’s birthday, as the president personally lobbied for the White House to host the card.
Reports also indicated that logistical and security challenges played a major role in the date change, as organizing a large-scale sporting event at the White House on the Fourth of July was considered complex.The event is expected to be the centerpiece of the national celebrations and will feature a reduced card of seven bouts, far fewer than the 12 or 13 bouts typically seen at the UFC’s numbered events. Tickets are expected to be distributed to military personnel.
The main event will see Ilya Topuria defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje, while the co-main event will see Alex Pereira take on Cyril Jean for the interim heavyweight title. The card also includes Derrick Lewis, who was added after a direct request from Trump. White revealed that the call came during UFC 327, and he acted immediately, phoning Lewis to confirm his spot on the card. Since then, Lewis has been matched up against Josh Hockett, who recently improved to 9-0 with a win over Curtis Blaydes in Miami.
UFC rule is broken
The biggest shift isn’t in the card, but in how the event starts.Speaking in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Dana White confirmed that UFC Freedom 250 will include a live rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” something the promotion has avoided for years.“We don’t play the national anthem,” White said, explaining that his issue has always been with how the events are slow and don’t fit into the UFC’s global structure.
“One of the things that drives me crazy about boxing is they have to sing two national anthems and all that stuff before a fight starts. We’re an international company. We have people from all over.”He explained that the concern has always been about the global nature of the sport. “We might end up singing two national anthems that aren’t even from this country, plus the whole world is watching us. We’re in over a billion homes all over the world, so I don’t do that.”
This position is assigned to this event. “This will be the first time in a very long time that we’ve done the national anthem like double digits in the UFC,” White said, confirming that Zac Brown will perform it on June 14.
The reward structure has also been modified
The UFC is also making a second change to the event, this time to its bonus system. While the usual Fight of the Night and performance bonuses will be awarded, an additional $1 million in post-fight bonuses will be offered through sponsor Crypto.com.
The additional incentives are described as the largest bonus package in UFC history and will be applied to all 14 fighters on the card.
What makes this event different?
From the venue to the card and now the format, UFC Freedom 250 is handled differently than a standard event. White has previously indicated that fighters could exit the Oval Office, although current projections are that only fighters in the main event will do so. Combined with the national anthem and the size of the card, it represents a definite shift from the UFC’s usual show.
