Key facts
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized the plan to host a UFC fight on the White House lawn.
- The event, UFC Freedom 250, is scheduled for Sunday night on the South Lawn.
- The fight night coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- UFC CEO Dana White stated the event was Trump's idea.
- A federal judge rejected a lawsuit seeking to stop the event.
- The event will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized the plan to host a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House, deeming it inappropriate and questioning the use of taxpayer funds. The event, titled UFC Freedom 250, is scheduled for Sunday night and coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the nation's 250th anniversary.
Trump, a long-time fan of mixed martial arts, has previously expressed interest in holding a UFC event at the White House. The spectacle will feature a seven-bout card, with a main event for the interim UFC heavyweight title between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. UFC CEO Dana White has promoted the event as a unique, "1 of 1" occasion.
The event's staging involves a large, custom-built Octagon structure on the South Lawn. Despite a federal lawsuit challenging the event, it was rejected, allowing the show to proceed. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 16% of Americans considered the event to be appropriate. The broadcast will be exclusive to Paramount+.