Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jun 15: US President Donald Trump hosted a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bouts on the White House lawn on Sunday, marking the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence.
The event, held as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday and came just hours after the announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement aimed at ending four months of conflict between the two countries.
Organised by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the seven-bout fight card transformed the White House grounds into a temporary arena known as “The Claw”, with seating for around 4,000 spectators.
Trump made a high-profile entrance to the event as the Marine Corps Band performed AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”. During the programme, he continued to share updates about the Iran peace agreement on social media and interacted with journalists by phone.
Several victorious fighters greeted Trump after their bouts. American fighter Bo Nickal climbed over the cage following his knockout victory to shake hands with the president.
Heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit also met Trump after his win and publicly praised the president during his post-fight remarks.
The event featured sponsorships from several companies and organisations, including Rumble, EasyPost and Turning Point USA. Closed-captioning for the broadcast was reportedly sponsored by Trump-branded commemorative coins, while bonus payments for fighters were partly backed by World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture associated with members of the Trump family.
According to reports, tickets were not sold to the general public. The White House allocated some seats to military personnel, while others were distributed through the administration and UFC. Some premium invitations were reportedly offered to guests contributing more than $1 million.
The event also reignited debate over ethics and the use of federal property for private events. Critics questioned potential conflicts of interest given Trump's business links and reported investment in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found that only 16 per cent of respondents believed it was appropriate for the president to host such an event at the White House. However, a legal challenge seeking to block the programme was rejected by a judge on Friday.
Trump has long maintained close ties with UFC president Dana White and has frequently attended mixed martial arts events. Sports have remained a recurring theme throughout his presidency, with the president regularly weighing in on major sporting issues and attending high-profile competitions.
The White House defended the event, rejecting allegations of conflicts of interest and stating that the president’s business affairs are managed separately from his official duties.
The unprecedented UFC showcase added another chapter to Trump's unconventional presidency, blending politics, sport and entertainment on one of the most recognisable stages in the world.