"We're going to have a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match right on the White House grounds," former US President Donald Trump said on July 3 during a political rally in Iowa.

Trump is a longtime friend of UFC President Dana White and considers mixed martial arts (MMA) fans a key voter demographic. He frequently attends UFC events, most recently a match in New Jersey in June.

"We have a lot of land there. We're going to, meaning Dana White, put up a UFC ring, it’ll be a championship fight, a great fight, and do 20,000-25,000 people. This is part of the 250th anniversary celebration," he said.

Neither UFC nor its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, has commented on Trump's statement.

Former US President Donald Trump is greeted by people as he visits Des Moines, Iowa, on 3/7. Photo: AP

Former US President Donald Trump is greeted by people as he visits Des Moines, Iowa, on 3/7. Photo: AP

During his hour-long speech, Trump repeatedly expressed enthusiasm for the US 250th anniversary celebration in 2026, promising to make it "the biggest birthday party ever."

He outlined some of the planned events, including a "Great American State Fair" in Iowa and across the country, culminating in a massive "patriotic festival" in the summer on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with exhibits representing all 50 states.

Trump also announced plans to open the "American Heroes Memorial Garden," which he described as a large outdoor park featuring statues of "the greatest Americans who ever lived." In addition, the US will host a nationwide sporting event, the "Patriot Games," featuring top high school athletes from every state.

"We'll have a lot of great things, professional and amateur. Together, we will ensure that America’s 250th anniversary is the greatest year in the history of our country," he said.

Thanh Danh (Reuters, NY Post)