A federal judge has rejected a last-minute bid to halt the UFC’s upcoming fight card at the White House, clearing the way for the event to move forward as scheduled.
Plaintiffs Susan Douglas and Paul Romano sought an emergency injunction filed on June 6, arguing the card would improperly commercialize public space and damage landmarks including the south lawn of the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta dismissed the lawsuit, finding the challengers had not met the legal standard to block the show.
"Because Plaintiffs fail to establish both a substantial likelihood of standing and irreparable harm, and because the equities and public interest weigh against emergency relief, Plaintiffs’ Emergency Application for a Temporary Restraining Order or, in the Alternative, an Expedited Preliminary Injunction, ECF No. 3, is denied," Mehta wrote.
Mehta noted that "The public has known that the White House would be hosting a UFC fight event since President Trump first announced it in July 2025," and pointed to the timeline of preparations. "Equipment and materials for the event began arriving at the White House around May 20, 2026 and construction of the Claw began six days later," he stated, adding that "Plaintiffs, however, waited until June 7, 2026 - more than two weeks after visible preparations commenced at the White House - to seek emergency relief."
The UFC White House card is scheduled for Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET and will air live on Paramount+.
