PHOTOS: UFC fight night held at White House

By WTOP Staff
June 15, 2026 | 5:44 AM

The UFC Freedom 250 fights take place on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin- Pool/Getty Images)

Justin Gaethje celebrates after defeating Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump stands in The Octagon with UFC CEO Dana White at the conclusion of the UFC Freedom 250 mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., in the early morning hours of June 15, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Ilia Topuria of Georgia and Justin Gaethje of the United States exchange punches in the UFC Lightweight Championship bout during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

US Marines salute as America's Justin Gaethje walks into the Blue Room of the White House before the start of his lightweight title bout against Georgia's Ilia Topuria during the "UFC Freedom 250" mixed martial arts event in Washington, DC, in the early hours of June 15, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Josh Hokit of the United States lands a punch on Derrick Lewis of the United States during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Sean O'Malley of the United States celebrates after defeating Aiemann Zahabi of Canada by technical knockout in their bantamweight bout during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Fans react as they watch the "UFC Freedom 250" mixed martial arts event on The Ellipse, south of the White House in Washington, DC, in the early morning hours of June 15, 2026. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

UFC Freedom 250 is seen on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Ciryl Gane lies in the center of the ring as Alex Pereira (R) is attended to during the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)

Alex Pereira walks out of the White House for a heavyweight interim title bout against Ciryl Gane during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Diego Lopes celebrates after defeating Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil celebrates after defeating Michael Chandler of the United States by technical knockout in the first round during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump gestures alongside First Lady Melania Trump as they attend the "UFC Freedom 250" mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, June 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil lands a punch on Michael Chandler of the United States during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) — Mauricio Ruffy, of Brazil, lands a punch on Michael Chandler, of the United States, during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Fans gather at the UFC Freedom 250 fan fest to watch UFC Freedom 250 which is being held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and Dana White, UFC president and CEO, arrive for UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

An overall view during the first featherweight bout between Brazil's Diego Lopes and America's Steve Garcia during the "UFC Freedom 250" mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, June 14, 2026. (Photo by POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Mauricio Ruffy waits in the White House before his fight with Michael Chandler (not pictured) in a lightweight bout of UFC Freedom 250 fights taking place on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin- Pool/Getty Images)

People attend the UFC Freedom 250 watch party on the National Mall on Sunday, June 14, 2026. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

MMA fighter Sean Strickland gestures inside a fight cage before being escorted out of the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest on The Ellipse by U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool Photo via AP)

People arrive for UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Some people showing out their American clothes ahead of UFC Freedom 250. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Army soldiers hold a grappling demonstration during the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest on The Ellipse ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool Photo via AP)

People dressed up as Revolutionary War soldiers performing outside the White House where the UFC fight will take place. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander) — People dressed up as American patriots performing outside the White House where the UFC fight will take place. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Two people taking a photo in front of the "UFC Freedom 250" sign. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Two people are squaring up inside the UFC cage. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

A man posing with a UFC championship belt. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

A replica of a WWE belt is featured on the National Mall. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

A look at the setup for Freedom 250's "fan fest" on Saturday. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Fan fest attendees pose at a step-and-repeat. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander) — Fan fest attendees pose at a step-and-repeat on the Ellipse. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Fans arrive for Saturday's fan fest. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

The scene outside Saturday's UFC fan fest as entry gates open. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Fans line up for the "UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest" at the Ellipse on Saturday afternoon. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Freedom 250 organizers <a href="https://www.ufc.com/freedom250" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the fan fest will feature "immersive fan experiences, live shows featuring UFC athletes, celebrity appearances, and exclusive on-stage moments." (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander) — 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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UFC Freedom 250 made its presence on the South Lawn of the White House Sunday night.

The mixed martial arts show took place on President Donald 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.

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WTOP rides shotgun at 140 mph on DC’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix course

By Jimmy Alexander
August 21, 2026 | 9:49 PM

Less than 24 hours before the first checkered flag waves at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in D.C., drivers got a chance Friday to put the 1.7-mile street course through its paces. WTOP got to ride shotgun in a 670-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06, reaching about 140 mph on the streets surrounding the National Mall. Behind the wheel was Ken Morris, General Motors' senior vice president of product programs, product safety and motor sports. “Oh, inspiring!” Morris said after the run. “D.C. is such a phenomenal place. I'm starstruck by it every time I'm here and to be able to have a track in the middle of it is fantastic.”

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