OAN Staff Addie Davis
7:30 AM – Monday, June 15, 2026
Despite predictions of bad weather, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) seven-fight card event held on the White House South Lawn was touted as a massive success by organizers and attendees.
Sunday night featured two title events, the lightweight championship bout between Ilia Topuria, a Georgian national, and American Justin Gaethje, and the interim heavyweight championship with Brazilian Alex Pereira pitted against French national Ciryl Gane.
Achieving a technical knockout (TKO) through corner stoppage, Gaethje defeated current titleholder Topuria, becoming the undisputed UFC lightweight champion. In round four, Topuria, “an absolute bloody, swollen mess,” returned to his corner and the bout ended, as described by UFC.
Gane defeated Pereira in the second round “amidst a torrent of strikes,” winning the title of interim heavyweight champion. He would need to win a rematch with undisputed champion Tom Aspinall to claim the undisputed title.
Non-title fights also took center stage at the monumental event on the White House Grounds. Sean O’Malley defeated his opponent Aiemann Zahabi by knockout, ending the fighter’s seven-fight winning streak. Achieving his fourth-straight win, Josh Hokit won his bout against Derrick Lewis by a TKO in the second round.
Meeting with President Donald Trump, whose birthday coincided with the event, Hokit placed a necklace around the president’s neck and shook his hand.
Mauricio Ruffy triumphed over Michael Chandler by TKO in the first round. Also winning in the first round, Bo Nickal achieved victory in the final minute against Kyle Daukaus. Knocking out his opponent Steve Garcia in the second round, Diego Lopes won his bout.
The fights were not the only events to take the limelight, as the night heralded a military flyover and a performance of the national anthem by Zac Brown Band alongside the United States Marine Band.
High-ranking officials attended the historic event, including President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, as well as high-profile Cabinet members. The president’s children were also in attendance, including his youngest son, Barron Trump.
The forecast for the fight was bleak, but according to ESPN, the weather only caused a 45-minute delay before progressing to a pleasant evening.
President Trump, who walked from the White House to attend the event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White, posted to Truth Social on Monday morning to tout the event’s success.
“The UFC at the White House last night was incredible. The weather was scheduled to be horrendous, and it turned out to be PERFECT! So much for weather predicting,” the commander-in-chief said.
Trump referred to the seven winners as “outstanding” and “unbelievable,” highlighting their prowess.
“Most people have never seen anything like that kind of human speed and power before. The White House has never looked more beautiful. The setting was unsurpassed. Congratulations to Dana White, and his unbelievable UFC. One of the most exciting days in the History of our fabled White House!” he concluded.
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