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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday Sunday night with a celebration on the South Lawn, where 14 fighters from around the world battled inside a wire cage during the UFC Freedom 250 show.
Trump walked out of the Oval Office around 8:30 PM ET with UFC CEO and President Dana White in what could best be described as a fighter’s walkout.
President Donald Trump and Dana White, UFC President and CEO, arrive at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 14, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)
The estimated 4,300 in attendance, which included about 1,200 active-duty service members, greeted the president with loud cheers as occasional shouts of “Happy Birthday” came from the crowd.
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The event started with the Marine Band’s performance of the national anthem, sung by Zac Brown, and concluded with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds.
“It was beyond anything anyone has ever seen in sports,” the president briefly remarked to reporters as he left the White House ahead of Monday’s G7 summit in France.
President Donald Trump looks on at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)
As expected, the crowd often erupted in “USA!” sang several times during the evening. It was heard most often during American Justin Gaethje’s thrilling main card win over the previously undefeated Ilia Topuria.
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Many of the fighters thanked Trump for having the “courage” to take on the spectacle, while the majority of the victors jogged ringside to shake his hand or say a word after their respective bouts. The patriotic atmosphere set the tone for the remaining America 250 festivities in Washington, DC, later this summer.
The $60 million event was just the latest drama in Trump’s relationship with White.
President Donald Trump congratulates Ciryl Gane after his victory in a heavyweight interim title fight against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
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White has a longstanding relationship with the president dating back to the first UFC event under his control, which was held in 2001 at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He has come across the campaign trail for Trump on two occasions, while Trump has attended four UFC fights as a sitting president.
Sunday’s game ended just after 1 and featured two championship bouts – France’s Ciryl Gane won the interim UFC heavyweight title after a victory over Brazil’s Alex Pereira, and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria fell to interim champion Justin Gaethje in four rounds.
President Donald Trump stands ringside with Justin Gaethje after he won the lightweight championship over Ilia Toupruia at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 15, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
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- Justin Gaethje def. Ilia Topuria via stop before round 5
- Cyril Gane def. Alex Pereira via TKO, round 2
- Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi via KO, round 2
- Josh Hokit def. Derrick Lewis via TKO, round 2
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Michael Chandler via KO/TKO, round 1
- Bo Nickal def. Kyle Daukaus via KO/TKO, round 1
- Diego Lopes def. Steve Garcia via KO/TKO, round 2
UFC Freedom 250 takes place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Monday. 15 June 2026. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
