Trending Now - Dana White Discusses Elevating MMA to New Heights

WHO:

Dana White, CEO and President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Jon Jones, MMA fighter

President Donald Trump

Tom Aspinall, interim heavyweight champion

Ilia Topuria, Georgian fighter from Spain and former UFC featherweight champion

Charles Oliveira, Brazilian fighter

Luke Burbank, CBS News correspondent

WHAT:

Jon Jones is in negotiations with the UFC regarding a potential fight at a UFC event on the White House lawn.

The UFC event is scheduled to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

The event will take place on June 14, 2026, which is also President Trump's birthday.

Dana White has stated that he cannot rely on Jon Jones for the event due to Jones' health issues, including severe arthritis in his hip.

White has been instrumental in growing the UFC from obscurity to a mainstream sport.

UFC was sold for $4 billion in 2016, and CBS' owner, Paramount-Skydance, agreed to pay nearly $8 billion to stream UFC content.

WHERE:

The UFC event will be held on the South Lawn of the White House.

Jon Jones participated in a meet and greet at The Brook Casino in New Hampshire.

UFC's headquarters is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WHEN:

The UFC event is scheduled for June 14, 2026.

Jon Jones announced his retirement from MMA after prolonged negotiations in 2025.

Dana White spoke on CBS News on March 1, 2026.

The Republican National Convention took place on July 18, 2024.

WHY:

The UFC event is intended to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Dana White has a long-standing friendship with President Trump, which has influenced his support for Trump during the 2024 presidential election.

HOW:

Dana White acquired the UFC for $2 million with two high school friends when it was on the brink of bankruptcy.

White helped Trump gain visibility among younger voters by encouraging him to appear on "manosphere" podcasts.

White has implemented more rules and safety measures in the UFC to make it mainstream and safe for viewers.

Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, is in talks with Jon Jones about a potential fight at a special event on the South Lawn of the White House, set for June 14, 2026, which will celebrate America's 250th birthday and also coincide with President Trump's birthday. However, White has expressed concerns about relying on Jones due to his ongoing health issues, including severe arthritis in his hip. This event marks a significant moment for the UFC, which has grown into a mainstream sport under White's leadership, especially since the organization was sold for $4 billion in 2016, and CBS' owner has recently committed nearly $8 billion to stream UFC content.