It was supposed to celebrate America’s birthday, but now the much-discussed UFC fight at the White House will take place on Donald Trump‘s birthday.
In late August, UFC chief Dana White announced the deal for the fight had been done and it was set for July 4 of next year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Now, that timing has changed, according to the president.
“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,” Trump announced at a celebration of the Navy’s 250th anniversary over the weekend. He failed to provide any reason for the date change or mention that the new plan happens to coincide with his 80th birthday.
The event may signal a new tradition for Trump: Hosting large, celebratory events in public spaces on his own birthday. Earlier this year, the president had a long-desired military parade, ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary. That event also happened to fall on his birthday.
In related news, former UFC champion Conor McGregor said on Sean Hannity’s show last week that he would be on the White House fight card.
Asked by Hannity if he would enter the octagon for the event, McGregor said his participation was a “done deal, signed, delivered. It ain’t a negotiation.”
The plan cooked up by White and Trump seems to be for the card to air on CBS.
The network has not said anything about such programing or timing as of yet, but the fact is CBS’ David Ellison-run parent company Paramount, A Skydance Corporation inked a 7-year and a whooping $7.7 billion agreement with the TKO Group owned mixed martial arts giant on August 11. A deal that sees the multi-fight card come off PPV in 2026 and sit on Paramount+ for subscribers who want a little real life blood and guts alongside their Taylor Sheridan dramas. The deal also includes a select numbered of UFC bouts to be simulcast on CBS.
