The U.S. government is transforming the South Lawn of the White House into a mixed martial arts octagon on June 14, setting up UFC Freedom 250 to simultaneously celebrate Flag Day, the nation’s 250th anniversary, and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. It is the first time a professional MMA championship will take place on the executive grounds. But the military members asked to fill the stands are facing heavy physical and financial restrictions.
Internal Pentagon memos leaked on Friday show that out of 4,300 total seats, about 1,200 are reserved for active-duty military. There is a catch. Those troops must pass a strict physical fitness test, specifically holding a waist-to-height ratio of .55 or lower, according to a Forbes report confirming the strict .55 waist-to-height ratio requirement and the allocation of 1,200 seats for military members. If their waist is more than 55% of their total height, they cannot attend.
The financial burden also falls entirely on the service members. Neither the Pentagon nor the UFC will cover travel or lodging expenses for the trip to Washington D.C. The Washington Post verified the leaked Pentagon memos dictating “member-procured” travel costs and included UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s reaction. Rogan openly criticized the outdoor setup, calling the open-air environment “odd” and a potential “security nightmare.”
Event organizers are directing preference toward junior enlisted personnel and junior officers who can prove they are genuine UFC fans. Families are strictly forbidden from taking up any of the allocated spots. A popular military Facebook page quickly caught wind of the internal guidelines and shared the memo with a blunt caption: “No Fatties at UFC White House Event.”
UFC CEO Dana White is spending roughly $30 million to construct the temporary stadium and stage the card. That budget includes a $700,000 payout just to restore the South Lawn grass after the event concludes. The remaining 3,100 seats are already split among the administration, UFC executives, and ringside celebrities.
Attendees will have a specific look on camera. The New Republic verified the requirement for attendees to wear short-sleeve dress uniforms and the specific targeting of junior enlisted personnel, citing an Air Force memo. The June 14 event is moving forward as organizers finalize the outdoor logistics.