Two major UFC figures raised concerns about the wisdom of holding a cage fight on the White House lawn this summer, after President Donald Trump set the idea into motion. UFC CEO Dana White, a close friend of Trump’s who has been tasked with overseeing the June 14 match, has heralded the event as an historic opportunity to bring the public together in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary this year. Still, he conceded this week that he has reservations about holding the UFC fight outdoors, due to environmental factors that could throw organizers for a loop. A giant iron stage is now being constructed outside the White House, allowing the public to see the venue being built in real time.“There’s two things I hate,” White said during an NPR Newsmakers episode. “I hate stadiums, and I hate even worse than a stadium is fighting outside. There’s just so many different variables you have to deal with, you know, the weather, and you know the worst, obviously, being rain and lightning, yeah, and then bugs, and you know temperatures.”
Construction continues at the White House to build a temporary structure for next month’s UFC fight as part of the America 250 celebrations, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)
