Ultimate Fighting Championship’s plans for its landmark card at
the White House are taking shape.
During the Friday edition of “The
Pat McAfee Show,” Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO Group
President Mark Shapiro sat down to discuss some upcoming plans for
the promotion. The hosts posed a few questions to the executives
regarding the show scheduled for June 14 that is slated to take
place on the grounds of the White House. A couple statements,
including an inflated claim by President Donald Trump who said
100,000 fans would be “in a stadium” for this card, were
challenged.
The executives stated that Trump’s high number included the “fan
fest” that would likely be a Washington, D.C., version of the UFC’s
International Fight Week. This includes additional events during
the week, fighter gatherings for fans, possible other shows going
on from some of their other properties like Zuffa Boxing or UFC
BJJ, and more. As for the event itself, Emanuel specified with
Shapiro’s aid that there would be three to four thousand on the
South Lawn during the card, while there would be other ways to
watch it live in the area that are still being determined.
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Most significantly was the news that this event would not be built
like any standard UFC offering. While the UFC 306 showcase at The
Sphere in Las Vegas in 2024 held 10 fights for logistical reasons,
the number of matches booked on the billing would be even fewer
than that.
“At the White House, I think it’s three to four thousand [that can
attend, on the South Lawn]. And then, there’ll be other in other
areas. And [UFC CEO] Dana [White] is working on it right now.
There’s going to be approximately six to seven fights, [Sunday]
June 14, Flag Day. He hasn’t said to us what the card’s gonna be,
but I know they’re working pretty hard at it right now.”
While the events thus far for the promotion have all aired
stateside on the Paramount+ platform, the UFC and its broadcast
partner of Paramount will be placing this currently untitled event
on CBS and simulcast on the streaming service. No fights have been
announced, and many athletes are vying for spots on what is now
expected to be a limited lineup.