The Ultimate Fighting Championship is taking unprecedented steps to ensure regulatory excellence for its groundbreaking event on the grounds of the White House.
UFC officials announced that the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) will serve as an independent third-party advisor overseeing regulatory operations for the June 14 event, marking the first time a professional sports card will take place at one of the most iconic locations in the world.
Because the event is being held on federal property, UFC is not required to appoint a state athletic commission. Instead, the promotion has proactively enlisted the ABC to help ensure the highest levels of safety, fairness, and regulatory compliance.
ABC President Timothy Shipman emphasized the organization’s role in a public statement, noting that UFC has committed to making the event one of the most thoroughly regulated in combat sports history. The ABC will assist in selecting elite judges, referees, and inspectors, while also ensuring all medical protocols are followed, including pre- and post-fight examinations and comprehensive athlete safety measures.
“All bouts on this card are officially licensed and sanctioned contests,” Shipman confirmed.
UFC leadership will work closely with the ABC to finalize the event’s regulatory framework, with Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and Senior Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner playing key roles in the collaboration.
“UFC is the gold standard for athlete health and safety in combat sports—bar none,” Ratner said. “We will absolutely bring those same industry-leading standards to this incredible, unique event at the White House. We thank the Association of Boxing Commissions for lending their expertise to ensure the highest standards of competitive integrity and professional governance.”
Set for the South Lawn, the event represents a landmark moment not only for MMA but for professional sports as a whole.
The six-fight card will be headlined by a championship doubleheader featuring some of the sport’s biggest names. In the main event, reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, currently ranked No. 2 pound-for-pound, will face interim champion Justin Gaethje in a highly anticipated unification bout.
The co-main event will see former two-division champion Alex Pereira attempt to make history by capturing a title in a third weight class when he takes on former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.
The historic card will stream live in the United States on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers.
Additional details, including fight week activities and event logistics, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
