Federal Judge Denies Request to Block UFC Fights on White House South Lawn

Media preview of the UFC setup of the upcoming UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

By Kimberly Hayek

Kimberly Hayek

Kimberly Hayek is a reporter for The Epoch Times. She covers California news and has worked as an editor and on scene at the U.S.-Mexico border during the 2018 migrant caravan crisis.

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June 13, 2026Updated: June 13, 2026

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A federal judge on Friday denied a legal challenge aiming to stop a UFC mixed martial arts event from taking place on the South Lawn of the White House this weekend.

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate both a substantial likelihood of standing and irreparable harm. The court also determined that the equities and public interest weighed against granting emergency relief.

“For the reasons that follow, the motion is denied,” Mehta wrote.

The ruling means organizers can move forward with the UFC Freedom 250 event, which includes fights scheduled for the South Lawn.

This story will be updated with additional details.

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