Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to hype up Sunday’s UFC cage fight at the White House on Thursday but in the process made a comparison that some might call “looney” or “spacey.”Speaking to reporters, Rubio praised the event, which will honor President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and suggested it is in keeping with the “audacious” spirit of America that has been present since its founding nearly 250 years ago.Then, before signing a deal that will allow the use of “cage fights for diplomacy,” Rubio compared the UFC to the 1969 moon landing.“When President Kennedy announced that we were going to put a man on the moon and return them safely to the earth, no one thought that was possible, and we did it,” Rubio said. “We are a nation founded on doing what no one else dared to do, and no one else aspired to do.”He added: “And at some level, that’s what this whole company, what UFC has been.” Rubio: President Kennedy announced that we were going to put a man on the moon. We did it. We are a nation founded on doing what no one else dared to do. And at some level, that's what this whole company, what UFC has been pic.twitter.com/JI9Qn4PPxW— Acyn (@Acyn) June 11, 2026Not surprisingly, many people on social media couldn’t believe he was comparing a sports league where people basically hit and kick each other with one of mankind’s greatest achievements.As a result, Rubio took a few hits. John Kennedy set a goal of putting a man on the Moon.Donald Trump set a goal of turning the White House grounds into a carnivalesque environment where UFC fights are held. https://t.co/mFSvGIUZM5— Andy (@AndrewDevoss) June 11, 2026Marco is comparing Pres Kennedy sending someone to the moon to Trump's UFC fight? What a sycophantic loser Marco turned out to be. He doesn't believe the garbage he says. How does he explain his lies to his wife & children. He'll live with who he's become the rest of his life. https://t.co/sTv426ObNE— Linda (@Crackerthe4th) June 11, 2026Cool, Kennedy said we'll put a man on the moon, Trump said we'll hold a UFC match on the White House lawn. It's true greatness! https://t.co/YYJxDa522b— Dean Baker (@DeanBaker13) June 11, 2026Putting a man on the moon is pretty awesome. Beating the snot out of someone and giving them a TBI, not so much. How far Rubio has fallen. Chance of rain and storms now up to 90%. Welcome to June in DC. https://t.co/YMQHEOyww7— Laurie (@TherapyDogsRock) June 11, 2026To Marco Rubio, cage fighting is as innovative as the moon landing. Also commentary on UFC should have long been under the purview of the Secretary of State. https://t.co/RLt1xNpHHf— Paul Catalina (@PaulCatalina) June 11, 2026