UFC’s White House event to be sanctioned by ABC, not D.C. commission

The UFC event at the White House on June 14 will be officially licensed and sanctioned by the Association of Boxing Commissions, organizers announced Thursday.

ABC president Timothy Shipman confirmed that they will oversee the action on the South Lawn rather than the D.C. Combat Sports Commission because it is taking place on federal property.

“The UFC expresses its commitment to ensuring that this event is among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport and has requested that the ABC serve as an independent third party to assist in assembling the most qualified group of judges, referees, and inspectors in the world,” Shipman said in a statement.

“The UFC has further confirmed that it will abide by all applicable regulatory requirements in support of this event, including all required medical examinations, pre-bout and post-bout physicals and athlete safety protocols. All bouts on this card are officially licensed and sanctioned contests.”

The D.C. Combat Sports Commission worked with UFC for its previous events in the nation’s capital in 2011 and 2019, both held at Capital One Arena.

The White House event, being held on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, will be the first professional sporting event held at the location.

“UFC is the gold standard for athlete health and safety in combat sports — bar none, and we will absolutely bring those same industry-leading standards to this incredible, unique event at the White House,” Marc Ratner, senior vice president for UFC’s government and regulatory affairs, said in a statement.

The fight card will stream live on Paramount+ in the U.S. and features a championship doubleheader with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane.

–Field Level Media