UFC President Dana White said an outdoor dinner at the White House Rose Garden with President Donald Trump revealed unexpected challenges for outdoor events. White told Boardroom that the presence of gnats made the experience difficult to ignore.
White explained that the bugs prompted him to consider how insects could impact future UFC events on the East Coast, especially those planned for outdoor venues. He noted that bugs could interfere with lighting, camera work, and broadcast quality during live pay-per-view fights.
White, a longtime ally of Trump, recounted that after the dinner, he immediately contacted his production team about the gnat problem. He said the experience raised concerns about hosting outdoor fights in Washington, D.C., and the logistical issues insects could pose.
He also discussed plans for the upcoming America 250 celebration, which may include outdoor UFC events in Washington. White emphasized the importance of fan engagement, noting that UFC aims to give away about 85,000 free tickets for events in D.C. during that week.
White indicated that insect control may become part of planning if the UFC proceeds with outdoor fight cards in the city as part of the festivities, highlighting the need to address environmental factors in event production.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
