Judge Rules UFC Fights on White House Lawn Can Proceed

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Friday cleared the way for the historic UFC fight card on the White House South Lawn on Sunday, denying an emergency request to halt the event just days before it is set to begin.

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that the Public Integrity Project failed to demonstrate the irreparable harm necessary to establish legal standing for an injunction against UFC Freedom 250, according to court records.

"The court rightly rejected an untimely and frivolous effort to halt the historic UFC event hosted to honor the 250th anniversary of our Nation," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement. "The White House is thankful for this correct decision and looks forward to hosting this once-in-a-lifetime celebration on the South Lawn."

The lawsuit challenged actions by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, arguing that federal officials improperly authorized a private sporting event on public property, allowed construction without congressional approval and failed to conduct an environmental review before work began on the temporary UFC venue known as "The Claw."

Mehta found that neither plaintiff was directly affected by the agencies' actions and therefore lacked standing to pursue the case. He also noted that the lawsuit was filed only days before the event despite public knowledge of the plans for nearly a year.

"The plaintiffs waited until June 7, 2026 — more than two weeks after visible preparations commenced at the White House — to seek emergency relief," Mehta wrote, adding that the delay undermined claims of irreparable harm.

While acknowledging the public interest in preventing unauthorized commercial use and environmental damage at protected national landmarks, Mehta said those concerns could not overcome the plaintiffs' lack of standing. He also ruled that the temporary nature of the structure made the risk of significant environmental damage doubtful.

The judge further cited the government's argument that a last-minute cancellation could jeopardize the approximately $60 million the UFC has invested in the event.

Mehta declined to hold oral arguments, instead issuing his decision based on written submissions from the Public Integrity Project and the Department of Justice, which represented the federal agencies.

The UFC Freedom 250 festivities begin Friday with a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial. Ceremonial weigh-ins are scheduled for Saturday on the Ellipse, alongside a two-day fan festival running through Sunday. The fight card will take place Sunday on the White House South Lawn.

The card is scheduled to feature:

1. Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship
2. Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the lightweight championship
3. Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight bout
4. Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler in a lightweight bout
5. Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout
6. Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus in a middleweight bout
7. Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout