UFC at the White House? Dana White Confirms: ‘It’s Absolutely Going to Happen’
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that plans are underway to host a UFC event on the White House grounds, following US President Donald Trump’s expression of interest in staging a fight to mark America’s 250th independence anniversary.
White, speaking to the Associated Press, said he will travel to Washington on August 28 to meet Trump and his daughter Ivanka to discuss logistics for the proposed Fourth of July fight card next year. “It’s absolutely going to happen. Think about it—the 250th birthday of the United States, and UFC will be on the White House South Lawn, live on CBS,” he said.
The idea of cage fights at the White House may have seemed improbable when the Fertitta brothers bought UFC for $2 million in 2001 and appointed White to run the then-small promotion. White guided the company to a $4 billion sale in 2016 and secured broadcast deals with Fox and ESPN before achieving UFC’s richest deal yet—a seven-year agreement with Paramount starting in 2026, worth $1.1 billion per year. All events will stream on Paramount+, with select numbered events also simulcast on CBS.
White noted that other broadcasters, including ESPN, Amazon, and Netflix, were considered for UFC rights, but Paramount stood out from the start. The deal followed the recent $8 billion merger of Skydance and Paramount, with White impressed by Skydance CEO David Ellison’s vision. “They’re brilliant businessmen, aggressive, risk-takers. Right up my alley,” White said.
The $1.1 billion deal nearly doubles ESPN’s previous annual payment of $550 million for UFC coverage. Paramount+ will offer all content, eliminating many traditional pay-per-view fees, and plans to expand UFC rights outside the US as opportunities arise.
UFC matchmakers are preparing the debut Paramount card, though White said it’s too early to confirm the main event for the White House fight night. “This is a one-of-a-kind event,” he added.
As UFC transitions to Paramount, programming adjustments are expected for shows like The Ultimate Fighter, Road to UFC, and Dana White’s Contender Series. Traditional 10 p.m. PPV start times may change on nights when events also air on CBS.
On fighter pay, White indicated that the new deal will increase earnings, with most contracts tied to revenue growth. “Every time we win, everybody wins,” he said. Boxer Jake Paul echoed the sentiment on social media, urging fighters to understand their worth in the new model.
While PPV isn’t disappearing, White noted that streaming and international deals will play a bigger role in UFC’s future. He also highlighted the value of UFC archival footage for repeat viewership once the ESPN contract ends.
White remains ambitious about UFC’s growth: “You have the NFL, the NBA, the UFC, and soccer globally. We’re coming. We’re coming for all of them.”
