Donald Trump convinced Dana White to add a big UFC fight to the White House event.
Donald Trump helped make a big change to the UFC White House fight card after a comment he made during UFC 327 on Saturday night.
The 45th and 47th President was at the Kaseya Center in Miami, where Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka in the first round to win the light heavyweight title. Trump arrived with UFC boss Dana White and, as usual, had a prime seat right by the Octagon.
Throughout the event, Trump and White chatted, and Trump used his influence to get another fight added to the upcoming White House event. This special show, called ‘UFC Freedom 250: The White House,’ will be on Trump’s 80th birthday, June 14, and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The card was already announced, with Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira fighting Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt. But during UFC 327, Trump suddenly asked why Derrick Lewis wasn’t on the card. White quickly called Lewis to invite him, and Lewis gladly agreed.
Lewis was matched up with Josh Hokit, who recently made waves by beating Curtis Blaydes to go 9-0. White shared the news live with fans: “About an hour ago, the President asked me, ‘Why isn’t Derrick Lewis on the card?’ I called Derrick right away, and he said ‘Of course, tell the President thanks!’ After Hokit’s big win, Joe Rogan asked if there was room on the card, so we made it happen.”
White also said Lewis, known for his funny post-fight interviews, is Trump’s favorite fighter and that Trump can’t stop talking about him. Afterward, White admitted no more fights will be added: “I probably shouldn’t have done this, but when the President asks, you make it happen. Unless he tells me otherwise, that’s it for additions.”
The event will take place on the South Lawn at the White House, with fighters entering from the Oval Office. White told Barstool Sports he has 300 tickets to give out, while TKO, UFC’s parent company, has twice that many. Trump has 1,300 tickets but wants most of the crowd to be military members.