NBC News is live from the South Lawn for one of the most unique sporting events in history.
The UFC octagon and fighting arena on the South Lawn of the White House, on June 12, 2026. Anne Lebreton / AFP via Getty Images
The UFC is hosting a fight card on the White House’s South Lawn tonight. Yes, you read that correctly.
The action will kick off at 8 p.m. ET with seven fights, including a main event lightweight title bout between champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
Watching just feet away will be President Trump, members of his administration, VIPs and thousands of active military members. NBC News is live in Washington D.C. to cover all the action from one of the most unique sporting events ever.
According to Craig Borsari, UFC executive producer, the U.S. President has been “involved at a high level.”
“I mean, he’s been part of multiple conversations about the way we would pull off the event and some of the infrastructure that we’d be putting on the South Lawn, as well as on the Ellipse. … He certainly has input and comments.”
President Donald Trump attends UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, in Miami. Miami Herald / Tribune News Service via Getty Images
More than 4,000 people will attend the fights on the South Lawn. About one-third of those tickets are going to active military personnel, while the White House and president have another third, and the UFC and its parent company TKO have a bit less than a third to distribute.
Approximately 115,000 fans, however, are set to watch on screens from across the street at the Ellipse, a 52-acre park just south of the White House, the UFC said.
There’s also a chance of rain in the area, something Borsari has been monitoring for weeks. The UFC has a meteorologist on site giving live updates so the promotion can plan properly.
Borsari said the only way fights won’t happen is if there is lightning within an 8-mile radius or if wind gusts exceed 35 mph. All of this is why the UFC has only hosted one card in history outdoors (Abu Dhabi in April 2010).
Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC News Digital.
Andrew Greif is a sports reporter for NBC News Digital.
