On June 14, the UFC will promote an event on the White House lawn. It is expected to be one of the biggest events in the promotion’s history — if it all goes according to plan.
Because of its setting, and the presence of dignitaries like US President Donald Trump, the event requires rigorous planning from organizers, White House staff, and security personnel. UFC President Dana White has already discussed the challenges of organizing such an event, and has made no secret of the event’s massive price tag.
Despite the immense effort from White and his UFC team, there are a few factors that will out of their control on the day, which could conceivably impact plans.
The main concern, unsurprisingly, is weather.
Dana White admits lightning could ‘really screw’ UFC White House plans
🚨 Dana White says the White House fights will continue even if it rains/snows
The only thing that can stop the fights from happening is lightning
(via @adinross) pic.twitter.com/pk6cTImzpB
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 8, 2026
Speaking to streamer Adin Ross this week, White proclaimed that the show will go ahead rain or shine. However, he admitted that the presence of lightning in the area has the potential to change plans.
“[If it rains] we’re fighting,” White said on Ross’ stream. “If it f**king snows, we’re fighting. Nothing will stop this show going that night. It can f**king rain . Lighting is the only thing. We’d have to wait it out. We’d have to wait the lightning out and then do the fight.
“This is why I don’t like doing things outside. Rain would suck. Heavy winds will suck. If it’s muggy and bugs [that would suck]. All this kind of sh*t is the stuff you have to deal with when you do it outside, but we’re going through all of it. Any of those things happen, it doesn’t matter, we’re still going. If it f**king snows, we’re going. Lightning is the only thing that would really screw us.”
The UFC White House card, officially called UFC Freedom 250, will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Ilia Topuria and interim champ Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira will move up to heavyweight to challenge Ciryl Gane for the vacant belt. If he succeeds, he’ll be the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three divisions.