On Sunday, for the first time ever, the White House hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House in celebration of America 250.
Things actually kicked off on Saturday with some pre-event action.
🚨 AWESOME! A literal BALD EAGLE just kicked off tonight's Freedom 250 UFC weigh-in on the National Mall DIRECTLY in front of the White House
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 14, 2026
"USA! USA! USA!" 🇺🇸🇺🇸
How can ANY patriot hate this?!
What a HISTORIC event! pic.twitter.com/CHStp5AoxB
Fight night energy is taking over DC.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2026
UFC Freedom 250 is almost here. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Zdqv8eS2HY
READ MORE: UFC Releases Teddy Roosevelt AI Ad Ahead of White House Event - and It Completely Nails the Moment
Then on Sunday, it featured a walkout by President Trump and Dana White, followed by an amazing flyover by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
🚨 NOW: President Trump LOOKS OVER the MASSIVE UFC crowd at the White House with Dana White
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 15, 2026
Patriot yells: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ktXaOyw2cQ
No better way to start #UFCWhiteHouse 👏
— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026
LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus!
[ UFC Freedom 250 Presented by @Cryptocom & @RamTrucks ] pic.twitter.com/zSusjJnsJx
Just the beginning of a legendary night at the People’s House. 📸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/O1IYf2FNgM
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2026
It was a barnburner, celebrating America.
The card more than delivered on its promise, with each of the first six fights not even reaching the end of the second five-minute round as many of the service members who made up the lucky 4,000 ticketed guests who filled the temporary arena chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!”
An estimated 80,000 more watched the contests on the Ellipse just to the south of the executive mansion, while thousands more sought an elevated space on the National Mall and craned for a view of the giant screens showing the action.
Military and first responders got some of the prime seats on the South Lawn.
PATRIOTS ARE LOCKED IN. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Ev7srwqd9Z
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2026
God Bless our great first responders who protect America 🇺🇸💙 pic.twitter.com/4viipQJSnR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2026
Medal of Honor winners and first responders walked out with each of the fighters on the card. Here was Michael Chandler with 101-year-old Medal of Honor recipient Royce Williams, who shot down four Soviet planes in an incident during the Korean War that was classified for years.
🚨 CHILLS. ABSOLUTE CHILLS.
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) June 15, 2026
UFC star Michael Chandler heads to the octagon alongside 100-year-old Medal of Honor recipient Royce Williams
Williams single-handedly shot down 4 enemy jets in the Korean War.
Legend 🇺🇸🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/g6tkaptS5X
All the fights ended with knockouts, technical or straight KO.
- Justin Gaethje def. Ilia Topuria via TKO (corner stoppage) – R4, 5:00
- Ciryl Gane def. Alex Pereira via TKO (punches) – R2, 1:27
- Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi via TKO (punches) – R2, 4:02
- Josh Hokit def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (punches) – R2, 4:09
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Michael Chandler via TKO (punches) – R1, 4:29
- Bo Nickal def. Kyle Daukaus via TKO (punches) – R1, 4:34
- Diego Lopes def. Steve Garcia via KO (punches) – R2, 2:42
Hokit gifted President Trump with his fight chain after he won his fight.
Look closely at what Josh Hokit gave President Trump! pic.twitter.com/xHaquUSKiz
— USA NEWS 🇺🇸 (@usanewshq) June 15, 2026
Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria in the main event.
🤩 Ce combat est le banger que l'on espérait !
— UFC France (@UFCFRA) June 15, 2026
📺 Regarde l’#UFCWhiteHouse EN DIRECT sur 🇫🇷 RMC Sport et 🇧🇪 VOOSport World
Les combats pour le titre sont présentés par @Cryptocom pic.twitter.com/c6fhfVEYbJ
New UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje dropped a legendary line after his HISTORIC upset over Illia Topuria.
— Overton (@overton_news) June 15, 2026
Joe Rogan pointed out that he was a 6-1 underdog going into the fight.
GAETHJE: “Hey, I’m from America. 250 years ago we were WAY bigger than 6-1 dogs!”
“And look… pic.twitter.com/3d3AMKp3RQ
He had quite the celebration off the top rope.
A celebration fit for a champion 🔥@Justin_Gaethje | #UFCWhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/E0NvEEm2VC
— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026
🚨TRENDING: Justin Gaethje shaking hands with Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/8vv5MrVi7z
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) June 15, 2026
In one of the funniest reports, all the leftist protesters were able to achieve before the event was to stand by portapotties, inviting passersby to wish the president a “crappy birthday.” Somehow, that fits with their gaslighting.
A SPECTACULAR ENDING TO ONE OF THE GREATEST NIGHT OF FIGHT'S YOU'LL EVER SEE 🎆🎆#UFCWhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/0W3BC8AOsu
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 15, 2026
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