Tom HousdenUpdated June 15, 2026 — 1:55pm,first published June 15, 2026 — 9:39am1.55pmWhat’s happened so far?By If you’re just joining us, President Donald Trump is holding an 80th birthday party like no other on the South Lawn of the White House – UFC Freedom 250 – an event given equal billing as a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.A 4300-seat temporary arena has been erected on the White House lawn.Evan Vucci/Pool Reuters via APIt’s now approaching midnight in the eastern US, and thousands of spectators gathered in the fan zone adjacent to the main arena have seen five fights, punctuated by military tributes, crypto and energy drink ads and a rendition of Y.M.C.A. by the Marine Corps band. The night’s biggest bouts are still to come.Sean O’Malley walks out for his bantamweight bout against Aiemann Zahabi.AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe event kicked off just before 8.30pm in Washington, with Trump and UFC president Dana White walking through the White House to the 4300-seat “claw” arena, which is mainly occupied by invited VIPs and members of the US armed forces. Storms that threatened to cause delays have held off.1.22pm‘A legendary night at the people’s house’By The official White House X account has been posting updates throughout the event, describing it as “a legendary night at the people’s house”.1.06pmKnockout and a proposal for fighter Mauricio Ruffy By Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy knocked out American Michael Chandler in the first round of a middleweight fight.Trump watches Mauricio Ruffy defeat Michael Chandler.AP Photo/Mark SchiefelbeinRuffy stunned Chandler with a kick and then finished him off by TKO four and a half minutes into the fight, prompting Trump to pump his fist in approval from his ringside seat.Ruffy warms up in the Green Room of the White House ahead of the bout.Jacquelyn Martin/POOL AP via APIn the post-fight interview, Ruffy then proposed to his girlfriend, Nadine.AP12.56pmZuckerberg pictured ringsideBy Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is among the high-profile guests at the event, and was seen congratulating MMA fighter Bo Nickal after his middleweight win against Kyle Daukaus.Mark Zuckerberg watches the action at UFC Freedom 250.AP Photo/Alex BrandonAccording to Time magazine, UFC chief executive Dana White also invited Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Mario Lopez to the event – though it is not known whether any or all are in attendance. Zuckerberg speaks to Trump at the event.AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein12.39pmNickal knocks out Daukaus, then chats with TrumpBy Bo Nickal knocked out Kyle Daukaus in the first round in a middleweight fight.Nickal knocked Daukaus down with a right hook, and the referee quickly stopped the second fight of the event four and a half minutes into the opening round.Trump pictured ringside beside his wife Melania.AP Photo/Alex BrandonNickal went right over to Trump after the win and talked briefly with the president. Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Penn State, has forged a friendly relationship with Trump after they met in 2019 at the White House during a ceremony for collegiate national champions.Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg congratulates Bo Nickal after his win against Kyle Daukaus. AP Photo/Alex BrandonAP12.30pmTyson Fury makes an entranceBy Boxer Tyson Fury has made an appearance at the UFC event, entering the arena from the White House to Don McLean’s American Pie and Kings of Leon’s Sex on Fire.The British heavyweight was wearing a baseball cap with the message: “Donald Trump for Prime Minister”.British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury.Getty Images11.54amUFC fighters pictured inside the White HouseBy The Washington Post notes that tonight’s fighters are entering the arena for their bouts from the Diplomatic Reception Room, the scene of many historic White House moments.Bo Nickal leaves the White House for a middleweight fight against Kyle Daukaus.Al Drago/Pool Getty via APThe room is usually where presidents greet foreign dignitaries and is also where president Franklin Roosevelt recorded his famous radio addresses, which came to be known as his “fireside chats”.President Franklin Roosevelt delivers his first “fireside chat” to radio listeners in March 1933.AP11.32amLopes knocks out GarciaBy Lopes knocked out Garcia in the second round of the first fight of the UFC Freedom 250.The Brazilian connected with a left hook that knocked Garcia down, and then finished him off before the referee stopped the fight.Steve Garcia trades blows with Diego Lopes of Brazil.Zuffa LLCLopes overcomes Garcia during the opening bout.Getty ImagesAP11.28amFights under way on White House lawnBy The UFC Freedom 250 event started with a featherweight fight between Diego Lopes of Brazil and Steve Garcia of the US.Steve Garcia lands a punch on Diego Lopes during the first fight. Getty ImagesGarcia walked out of the White House draped in an American flag and accompanied by two police officers. Lopes walked out to the Mexican song La Chona.Fans chanted “USA! USA!” just before the fight began.Diego Lopes prepares to walk out for his featherweight bout against Steve Garcia.Al Drago/Pool Getty via APAP11.13amTrump walk-out shows off White House upgradesBy Donald Trump and UFC chief executive Dana White walked out of the Oval Office through the White House for the event in scenes showcasing some of the president’s recent aesthetic changes to the building’s decor, including gilded-framed portraits of past presidents.President Donald Trump at the UFC event on his 80th birthday.AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe new gold-lettered signage for the Oval Office was also on display, in a font noted by The Washington Post as reminiscent of one typically used for wedding invitations.Trump and White arrive in the UFC arena outside the White House.APThe two men made their way to the Blue Room Balcony, where they appeared above the crowd as the national anthem played, and a US Air Force fly-past took place overhead. After the anthem, the crowd cheered and chanted “USA! USA!”Trump and White then put on sombre expressions as they walked the rest of the way to the cage where the UFC fights will take place. Trump has a seat very close to the Octagon.Trump salutes the crowd from the White House balcony.Jacquelyn Martin/POOL AP via AP1 of 2