Construction has begun for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House

Photo by KENT NISHIMURA, AFP Via Getty Images

Construction has begun for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House

Originally posted on MMA Weekly | By Jeff Cain | Last updated May 26, 2026 10:01 AM ET

Construction has begun at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. for the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event taking place at the White House on June 14.

Workers have begun to assemble "The Claw" and the temporary venue on the South Lawn that will host the historic event. The venue will seat approximately 5,000 guests invited by the fight promotion and the Trump administration. More spectators will be able to watch on jumbo screens at the nearby Ellipse.

Cranes on cranes at the White House today, prepping for the UFC fight that will be held on the South Lawn in June, and construction of the President’s new ballroom. pic.twitter.com/GdBZmfrmuY
— Julie Tsirkin (@news_jul) May 25, 2026

The fight card is headlined by lightweight championship bout between titleholder Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje. Former two-division champion Alex Pereira takes on France's Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event. The week-long will feature the pre-fight press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial. On event night, the fighters will make their way to the octagon from the Oval Office.

Last week, the fight promotion released new renderings of the octagon and UFC Fan Fest layouts.

History in the making

New visuals for #UFCWhiteHouse and the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest are here!

[ Presented by @Cryptocom & @RamTrucks ] pic.twitter.com/PQP7dut7fE
— UFC (@ufc) May 23, 2026