Everything you need to know ahead of the White House's controversial UFC 250 event

By Nathan Rennolds Published on 14/06/2026 - 17:44 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The Freedom UFC 250 event will celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary as well as US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The White House is readying itself to host Sunday's Freedom UFC 250 showcase, with the Octagon setting up on the South Lawn for what will be the first professional sporting event to be held at the presidential residence. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The main event will see Spanish-Georgian fighter and undefeated UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria come up against Justin Gaethje, the interim lightweight champion. UFC legend Alex Pereira will also attempt to claim a title in a third weight division when he faces Ciryl Gane for interim heavyweight gold. Here's everything you need to know ahead of UFC 250. The UFC Fan Fest on the White House Ellipse ahead of Sunday's fight on the South Lawn, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Background UFC 250 will celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary as well as US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. Around 4,300 free tickets are available for the seating area around the Octagon, most of which are reserved for military personnel, UFC President Dana White has said. Eight big screens will also show the fights from the nearby Ellipse park, where roughly 85,000 people can watch. The White House's South Lawn transformed into a makeshift UFC arena over the weekend as buildup to the show ramped up, with a huge arched lighting dome and stands constructed around the Octagon stage. The UFC held a press conference from the Lincoln Memorial on Friday as well as ceremonial weigh-ins from the Ellipse on Saturday. White has also responded to concerns about potential bad weather impacting the fights, telling Fox News that only lightning would prevent the matchups from going ahead. "If it rains, we're going. If it snows, we're going. The only thing that will stop us is lightning," he said, adding that they could adjust the start times to try to ensure the event takes place. As part of increased security measures introduced ahead of the spectacle, the FBI announced that Washington, D.C would be a "no drone zone" on Sunday and urged locals and visitors to report any drone activity. The buildup to UFC 250 has been clouded by controversy over cost, musical performers pulling out and a legal challenge seeking to block the event from taking place. It has been estimated that event is set to cost around $60 million, although White House officials have reportedly stressed that the UFC will fund the entire show itself. In a post on X, US Senator Elizabeth Warren shared a photo of the Octagon on the South Lawn, writing: "It might be hard to see from this picture today of the White House, but Donald Trump is very focused on lowering costs". Fighters Outside of the main events, former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley takes on Aiemann Zahabi, undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit faces UFC's "knockout king" Derrick Lewis and number nine ranked lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy fights Michael Chandler. Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus also go head-to-head, with Diego Lopes versus Steve Garcia as the night's other matchup. Prize money Some of the fighters could be in for a big pay day on Sunday. In a press conference ahead of the event, White announced that the two athletes who earn fight of the night were set to receive $400,000 each, with the two performance of the night bonuses worth another $425,000 each. How to watch Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the action on TNT Sports. It will be available to view in Germany and Switzerland on DAZN, on RMC Sport in France and HBO MAX in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. For fans in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, they can see the fight on Nova. NET4+ will air the action in Hungary and Polsat Sport in Poland. Viaplay will stream the event in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 / birthday cage fight event snubbed by celebrities UFC fight venue takes shape outside White House for Trump birthday event Everything you need to know ahead of the White House's controversial UFC 250 event UFC Sports Donald Trump USA White House