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PHOTOS: UFC fight night held at White House

WTOP Staff

June 13, 2026, 6:02 PM

The stage is set for UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday night.

The mixed martial arts show is streaming on Paramount+ around 8 p.m. and is timed for Trump’s 80th birthday and the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

A federal judge ruled on Friday that the White House is allowed to stage the fight.

Road closures started Thursday ahead of “UFC Freedom 250” events, which include a fan fest on the Ellipse Saturday and the main card Sunday night.

See photos of the preparation and weekend events below.

UFC Freedom 250 Trump 1/21
The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights is pictured on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
The arena for UFC Freedom 250 outside the White House 2/21
The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House is photographed Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
UFC Freeform 250 Trump 3/21
Audience members cheer and boo during a UFC news conference at the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of Sunday’s fight on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Audience members cheer and boo during a UFC news conference at the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of Sunday's fight on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
UFC Freedom 250 outside the White House 4/21
The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House is photographed Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
UFC Freedom 250 Trump 5/21
Members of the media view the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
APTOPIX Trump 6/21
Thunderbirds and Blue Angels do a practice flyover of the White House, Octagon and Washington Monument, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington, ahead of the UFC fight. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
APTOPIX Trump White House 7/21
Workers continue building the cage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn in front of the White House, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
APTOPIX Trump White House 8/21
Workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, center, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Washington, as work also continues on the construction of the ballroom, right. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
9/21
An audience members cheers as UFC heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit enters a UFC news conference at the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of Sunday’s fight on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
10/21
UFC President and CEO Dana White speaks during a UFC news conference at the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of Sunday’s fight on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
11/21
Fans line up for the “UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest” at the Ellipse on Saturday afternoon. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
12/21
Freedom 250 organizers said the fan fest will feature “immersive fan experiences, live shows featuring UFC athletes, celebrity appearances, and exclusive on-stage moments.” (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
13/21
The scene outside Saturday’s UFC fan fest as entry gates open. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
14/21
Fans arrive for Saturday’s fan fest. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
15/21
A look at the setup for Freedom 250’s “fan fest” on Saturday. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
16/21
Fan fest attendees pose at a step-and-repeat. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
UFC fan fest 17/21
Two people are squaring up inside the UFC cage. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
Replica of WWE belt 18/21
A replica of a WWE belt is featured on the National Mall. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
UFC fan fest 19/21
Two people taking a photo in front of the “UFC Freedom 250” sign. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
UFC fan fest 20/21
People dressed up as Revolutionary War soldiers performing outside the White House where the UFC fight will take place. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)
Man with UFC belt 21/21
A man posing with a UFC championship belt. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

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