Web desk: President Donald Trump has announced that a UFC fight will be held at the White House on his 80th birthday, a move that marks a first in US political history.
Speaking to Navy personnel at the Norfolk naval base in Virginia, Trump said, “On June 14 next year, we’re going to have a big UFC fight at the White House, right at the White House, on the grounds of the White House.”
Earlier in August, UFC President Dana White had stated that the highly anticipated event would take place on July 4, the day the United States celebrates its 250th Independence Day anniversary.
However, the president’s recent announcement has shifted the date to mid-June.
White confirmed during a press conference on UFC’s official YouTube channel that preparations for the event will begin early next year.
“We’ll start looking at building the White House card, which I will right now tell you will be the greatest fight card ever assembled in the history of this company,” he said.
Trump, a longtime supporter of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has been a frequent face at several major UFC bouts, often receiving rock-star-style receptions from crowds.
What is a UFC Fight?
The UFC, known for its intense no-holds-barred fights, is the world’s biggest mixed martial arts organisation, combining disciplines like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing, and boxing.
Its fights take place in “The Octagon,” an eight-sided cage where both men and women compete with minimal restrictions on fighting techniques.
While the sport’s brutality has drawn criticism from medical experts who warn of brain injuries and long-term health risks, UFC has steadily gained mainstream acceptance over the years.
On his 79th birthday this year, Trump marked the occasion with a military parade celebrating the founding of the US Army, and next year’s UFC event appears set to add yet another dramatic chapter to his tenure.
