History is about to collide with combat sports. Imagine fighters squaring off on the South Lawn, the White House itself serving as the backdrop. It sounds almost impossible, yet Dana White insists this spectacle is very much real. The UFC boss recently joined Logan Paul’s podcast and revealed just how President Donald Trump’s ambitious idea turned from talk into reality.
During his appearance on the ‘Impaulsive’ podcast’s episode no. 474, Paul asked the UFC boss how the idea came about, and the answer was surprising. White admitted, “So, I didn’t ask, he brought it up to me.”
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“Obama one time had Elton John play” – Dana White on why Trump wants a UFC White House card
According to him, President Trump beams with pride when showing people around the White House. He views it as the “people’s house,” a place where ordinary Americans should feel welcome. As such, he further shared, “He loves America, so he believes that the White House belongs to the people of America and he wants to do more things like kids coming in, doing Easter egg hunts and stuff. Things around Christmas and special events.”
Dana White even pointed to a previous performance at the White House by the legendary Elton John as he stated, “I guess Obama one time had Elton John play on the South Lawn, they’ve done some stuff like that and I don’t know if anybody was invited. That’s his thing, he wants to bring more Americans to the White House, to experience the White House, his thing is this is your house.”
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Skeptics may have brushed it off at first. Still, White made it clear during the ‘Impaulsive’ podcast that it’s “Absolutely happening” and when pressed by Logan Paul about how he plans on deciding who headlines the historic card, the UFC head honcho simply stated, “What I wanna do is, build the best card that we’ve ever built. That just makes people go crazy, it’ll be live and free on CBS from the White House.”
Recently, reports have emerged that indicate weigh-ins will take place at the Lincoln Memorial, with fighters possibly warming up inside the White House itself. As for the main show? The South Lawn is expected to transform into a fight stage, with nearby parks featuring giant screens and concerts to expand the celebration.
If true, this would mark one of the most ambitious moves in UFC history. A free-to-air mega card at the nation’s most iconic address isn’t just a fight, it’s a cultural moment!
White reveals the UFC’s plans to “take over” Washington, D.C. for historic White House event
Speaking on Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s Nightcap podcast, Dana White recently confirmed the reports that the spectacle will take place on the South lawn. But it wasn’t the setting alone that caught the fan’s attention. As per the UFC boss, “Do you know what is probably the most bada— thing about that? The fighters will actually walk from the Oval Office into the Octagon.”
This won’t just be another fight week; it will be a full takeover of Washington, D.C. White explained that fewer than 5,000 lucky fans will be inside the White House gates. But he revealed, “Then, right next to the White House is a massive park, and we’ll have 85,000 people there watching on screens.” Add in concerts, a live stage, and thousands more filling the capital, and the event begins to sound less like a card and more like a national festival.
Behind the scenes, planning has been a family affair for the Trumps. White confirmed that Ivanka Trump, an avid UFC fan who also practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, joined the latest meeting by phone to help shape the event’s structure. According to White, she’s involved in both coordination and creative decisions, further highlighting the White House’s personal investment in making the night unforgettable.
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As for timing, the UFC boss pointed to June 2026. The move avoids the crowded Fourth of July calendar while keeping the spirit of America’s 250th birthday intact. And it won’t be confined to one evening. From the National Mall hosting autograph sessions with UFC stars, to fan zones featuring punching bag setups, Dana White stated, “We’re basically going to take over Washington, D.C. for a week. We’re going to take over the whole city.”