UFC fight at White House on July 4 ‘absolutely happening,’ Dana White says

UFC CEO Dana White says a Fourth of July fight card at the White House is "absolutely happening" next year, with plans for the event to air live on CBS as part of the United States’ 250th birthday celebration.

What they're saying:

White told the Associated Press he will meet with President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump in late August to finalize logistics for the historic event. Trump announced last month he wanted to host a UFC match on the White House South Lawn with up to 20,000 fans.

"Think about that — the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House South Lawn live on CBS," White said.

The idea of cage fights at the White House might have seemed impossible when the Fertitta brothers purchased UFC for $2 million in 2001 and put White in charge. Now, UFC is coming off its richest media rights deal yet.

Paramount+ deal will change how UFC fans watch fights

What we know:

U.S. fans will no longer need to pay $79.99 per pay-per-view fight starting in 2026. Instead, all major UFC events — including 13 numbered cards and 30 Fight Nights each year — will be available on Paramount+ through a new seven-year, $7.7 billion deal.

Some marquee cards will also air on CBS, making them accessible to an even wider audience. Depending on their Paramount+ plan, U.S. subscribers will pay between $5.99 and $11.99 a month for access.

White praised Paramount and Skydance CEO David Ellison as "brilliant businessmen, very aggressive, risk takers," adding, "These are the kind of guys I like to be in business with."

The deal is a major jump from the roughly $550 million ESPN currently pays annually for UFC coverage and comes just days after the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount merger closed.

What we don't know:

Paramount+ hasn’t confirmed whether it will raise subscription prices before or during the contract. It’s also unclear:

• How UFC archival footage will be packaged for streaming.
• Whether full fight replays and historic bouts will be included at no extra cost.
• If bars and restaurants will need new licensing agreements to air events.
• How the change might impact fighter pay, particularly for athletes whose contracts include pay-per-view incentives.

What's next:

White said UFC matchmakers are already working on the debut Paramount card, though no main event for the July 4 White House show has been announced.

"This is a 1-of-1 event," White said. "Every time we win, everybody wins."