Washington, June 12, 2026
A US federal court has dismissed the lawsuit against the UFC cage fights planned for Sunday directly in front of the White House, clearing the way for the combat sports event.
The judges rejected the emergency motion from the organization Public Integrity Project, which had filed suit in federal court on behalf of two US citizens in a final attempt to stop the event. The court justified its decision, among other things, by stating that the objections had been filed too late. Additionally, the plaintiffs had not sufficiently demonstrated why they would suffer lasting harm from the event, according to court documents.
Background: The Event
The spectacle is hosted by the professional combat sports league Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA is a combat sport that combines techniques from, among others, boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, as well as karate and jiu-jitsu. A cage in the typical octagon format has already been erected in front of the White House, surrounded by spectator stands and topped by a massive dome. The constructed arena's stands are to accommodate more than 4,000 spectators.