Trump hosts UFC fighters in Oval Office ahead of planned White House bout

President Donald Trump met with four UFC fighters in the Oval Office on Wednesday and outlined plans to stage a fight on the White House grounds on June 14, which he said will coincide with Flag Day, his birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Trump, flanked by Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, showed renderings of a fight stage and called the event “the greatest show on Earth,” the president said.

Trump said the card will be headlined by a lightweight clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje, and that a heavyweight bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane is also planned.

The fighters expressed gratitude for the invitation. Topuria thanked Trump for the opportunity to visit the Oval Office and said, “It’s going to be amazing and we want to thank you for this opportunity,” according to remarks at the meeting. Pereira said he felt “special” to be fighting at the White House, and Gane called it “an honor.”

Gaethje praised Trump’s support for the sport and credited the president with helping bring the UFC into the mainstream. “To have a president that’s willing to go against an upstream and against the norms is truly special,” Gaethje said, according to remarks at the White House.

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