Dana White Says UFC Has No Plans to Return to the White House: ‘Will Never Happen Again’

Those who tuned in for UFC Freedom 250 witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event — because CEO Dana White said the sport will never return to the White House lawn.

White, 56, was asked by a reporter if he felt the event, which took place on President Donald Trump‘s 80th birthday, was “as good as it’s going to get.”

“That’s what I thought about the Sphere, and then, here we are now,” he replied, referring to UFC 306 being held at the Las Vegas Sphere in September 2024. “I’m always looking to go to great arenas with good technology and give fans the best experience we possibly can.

“This was an amazing experience,” White continued. “This was a one of one that will never happen again.”

When asked if there was a “chance the president says, ‘That was good. Let’s do it again next year,'” White explained that he couldn’t “afford it.”

“There’s no [expletive] way we can do this again,” he went on. “This was… I’ll never do the Sphere again and we’ll never do this again.”

According to an article from Time published on June 11, the Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit against the event claiming that it cost “well over $60 million” to produce, making it the most expensive event UFC has ever put on.

UFC footed the bill and no American tax dollars were used.

“UFC is funding and paying for this entire event,” a White House official said in a statement to the publication. “There are no taxpayer dollars being used outside of what would be applied towards employees’ normal duties and responsibilities.”