Trending Now - Pentagon Enlists Troops for Exclusive White House UFC Celebration
WHO:
The Source - The Pentagon is recruiting hundreds of active-duty service members.
CNN - Senior Pentagon leaders are involved in organizing the event.
NBC News Politics - Two people familiar with the criteria provided information about the event.
WHAT:
HuffPost - The internal memo stipulates that military members attending the event must have a maximum 37-inch waist for the average man and a 35-inch waist for the average woman.
Vox - President Trump’s UFC event is described as an "Ultimate Fighting Championship takeover" at the White House.
NBC News Politics - The Pentagon memo reviewed indicates that the event is titled “UFC Freedom 250.”
CNN - The Pentagon's guidance states that ticket recipients must meet the DOW waist-to-height ratio standard of less than 0.55, which aligns with new body composition standards for service members.
CNN - A defense official stated that the selection requirements for the event send a clear message: “No fattys.”
CNN - The Pentagon guidance recommends that military leaders recruit attendees who live outside the nation’s capital.
The Source - The event is titled “UFC Freedom 250” and will take place on the White House South Lawn.
NBC News Politics - The Defense Department is requiring military members to meet specific body type criteria to attend the UFC event.
CNN - Tickets to the UFC fight will only be given to service members who meet weight requirements based on military fitness standards.
CNN - The Pentagon's guidance states that ticket recipients must meet the DOW waist-to-height ratio standard of less than 0.55.
WHERE:
The Source - The event will be held on the White House South Lawn.
CNN - The Pentagon is involved in the organization of the event.
WHEN:
HuffPost - The UFC event is scheduled for June 14, 2026.
NBC News Politics - The UFC event is scheduled for next month.
WHY:
CNN - The selection requirements for attendees are intended to ensure that service members "look good" on camera during the event.
CNN - The Pentagon has a focus on physical fitness, as emphasized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
HOW:
The Washington Post - The Pentagon is requiring attendees to pay for their travel to the event, despite tickets being free.
CNN - The Pentagon is using internal memos to communicate the criteria and selection process for attendees.
CNN - Commanders are directed to distribute tickets only to “genuine UFC fans” and focus on selecting junior enlisted and junior officers.
CNN - Service members will be required to pay for their own travel to the event, although tickets are free.
(UPDATED May 30, 2026 19:18 UTC)
The UFC event is set to take place on June 14, 2026. An internal memo has outlined new requirements for military members attending the event, stating that men must have a maximum waist size of 37 inches and women a maximum of 35 inches. These guidelines are part of the event's regulations to ensure compliance among attendees.
--
(UPDATED May 30, 2026 07:48 UTC)
President Trump is hosting a UFC event at the White House, which is being referred to as an "Ultimate Fighting Championship takeover," and it will be titled “UFC Freedom 250.” According to a Pentagon memo, attendees must meet specific body composition standards, including a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55, and military leaders are encouraged to recruit participants from outside the nation's capital. Additionally, while tickets to the event are free, the Pentagon is requiring attendees to cover their own travel expenses.
--
(UPDATED May 29, 2026 23:20 UTC)
The Pentagon is set to host an event called "UFC Freedom 250" on the White House South Lawn next month, with hundreds of active-duty service members being recruited to attend. To secure a ticket, military members must meet specific body type criteria, including the DOW waist-to-height ratio standard of less than 0.55, as the selection process aims to ensure attendees present well on camera. Commanders are instructed to prioritize tickets for junior enlisted and junior officers who are genuine UFC fans, while service members will need to cover their own travel expenses, even though the tickets themselves are free.