Trump's UFC White House event was unforgettable: What you missed
Trump's UFC White House event was unforgettable: What you missed
Josh Peter, USA TODAYMon, June 15, 2026 at 10:07 AM UTC
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President Donald Trump sat cageside.
First Lady Melania Trump sat on his left. Dana White sat to his right. And fighters greeted him after victories.
Not a bad way to celebrate an 80th birthday. Unprecedented. Controversial. Memorable.
It would be hard to forget the 12-plane flyover at the start.
Or the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington marching.
Or the Zac Brown Band singing the national anthem.
What first-time viewers learned and what veteran viewers relearned is that mixed martial arts is not for the weak. Or for the faint of heart.
There was no need for judges' scorecards during the first six fights. All ended by knockout or technical knockout.
How some of these men celebrated could not have been more different.
Heavyweight Josh Hokit insulted Michelle Obama.
Middleweight Mauricio Ruffy proposed to the mother of his children.
Trump wore a blue suit and a white hat emblazoned with letters appropriate for the celebration of the country's 250th birthday.
USA.
UFC Freedom 250 highlightsGaethje beats Topuria in bloody battle
Justin Gaethje delivered.
In riveting and remarkable fashion.
Gaethje, the American underdog, stunned Ilia Topuria xxx and won the lightweight championship in the main event at UFC Freedom 250 in front of President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House.
It was the first loss of Topuria's career and his record fell to 17-1, and he his face was battered almost beyond recognition. The cage side physician called the right after examining Topuria after the third round. But Topuria said he wanted to fight and they allowed the fight to continue.
But he Gaethje prevailed, and after he did he celebrated with a backflip off the top of the Octagon fence.
Josh Hokit targets Michelle Obama in post-victory remarks
Josh Hokit might have hit a new low with his post-victory remarks.
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After beating Derrick Lewis by second-round TKO in their heavyweight fight, Hokit began, "I'm man with the plan, the beast that's ready to feast. You know what, (expletive) this speech.''
First Hokit shouted out Trump for holding the event.
Then he acknowledged his "lord and savior.''
Then things took a turn for the worse. Much worse.
"Now listen, Alex Pereira, I'm going to chama on your mama,'' he said. "And lastly, Michelle O'Bama, is a man! Am I right, America?''
The response from Joe Rogan, who conducts the in-ring interviews?
"Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit,'' Rogan said.
UFC White House features wedding proposal after epic knockout
It's a good thing Mauricio Ruffy didn't get his face bashed in by Michael Chandler in their lightweight fight. It might have foiled his plans.
During his post-fight interview in the Octagon after Ruffy knocked out Chandler, he proposed to the mother of his children.
Ruffy looked out into the crowd, presumably where the mother of his children was sitting.
Joe Rogan, who was conducting the interview, asked if Ruffy got a yes.
Ruffy responded with a thumbs up.
He said he previously did not have enough money to marry her.
Tyson Fury makes appearance at UFC Freedom 250
A 6-foot-9 Brit made his entrance between fights at the UFC Freedom 250.
He's ready to fight, too, but not inside the Octagon.
Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has agreed to fight Anthony Joshua later this year.
So why was Fury at the White House? Well, Dana White has said he will be promoting the blockbuster fight.
But Fury declined to disclose any details -- or to get inside the Octagon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFC White House highlights from unforgettable UFC Freedom 250
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