The 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 asked the executives a few questions about the show, which was scheduled for June 14 and would take place on the White House grounds. A number of statements, including an inflated claim by President Donald Trump who said 100,000 fans would be “in a stadium” for this card, were disputed.
The executives stated that Trump’s high number also included the “fan fest” that would likely be a Washington, D.C. version of the UFC’s International Fight Week. This includes additional events throughout the week, fighter meet-ups for fans, possible other shows taking place from some of their other properties like Zuffa Boxing or UFC BJJ, and more. As for the event itself, Emanuel, with Shapiro’s help, specified that there would be three to four thousand people on the South Lawn during the card, while there would be other ways to watch it live in the area yet to be determined.
Limited real estate
Most importantly 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 held 10 fights in 2024 for logistical reasons, the number of fights booked on the billing would be even lower.“In the White House, I think it’s three to four thousand [that can
attend, on the South Lawn]. And then there will be others in other areas. And [UFC CEO] Dana [White] is currently working on it. There will be about six to seven fights, [Sunday]
June 14, Flag Day. He hasn’t told us yet what the card is going to be, but I know they’re working pretty hard on it right now.”
While the promotion’s events to date have all aired in the United States on the Paramount+ platform, the UFC and its broadcast partner Paramount will place this currently untitled event on CBS and simulcast it on the streaming service. No fights have been announced and many athletes are vying for spots in what is now expected to be a limited lineup.
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