Country singer Zac Brown. 47, is set to perform the national anthem at the UFC Freedom 250 event, which will be held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2025. The event is part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations and will feature a lightweight championship bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and President Donald Trump is expected to attend the event, which coincides with his 80th birthday and Flag Day.

Controversy and Criticism

The event has been met with significant controversy, with critics arguing that hosting a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the White House is inappropriate. The Public Integrity Project, a watchdog group, filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Virginia residents to block the event, claiming it disrupts the White House and National Mall area. The group described the event setup as ‘hideous.’

Trump, in his second term, has pushed for major changes to Washington, D.C., including transforming parts of the White House into a grand ballroom. The UFC event, however, has drawn particular attention due to the construction of a 90-foot-tall steel arch dubbed ‘The Claw’ on the South Lawn. The arena was designed in Belgium, built in Philadelphia, and then transported to Washington, D.C.

Brown’s Defense and Perspective

Brown, a self-described ‘massive UFC fan,’ defended the event on The Pat McAfee Show, stating, ‘I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America. This is patriotism, not politics for me.’ He emphasized that the event will honor the 8,000 active service members expected to attend, saying, ‘I love this country. I love all the people that have sacrificed so that I can live my American dream and that everyone that lives here gets a chance to do that if they work hard and make the right decisions. So it doesn’t have a place in politics for me.’

Brown also expressed excitement about the personal significance of the event, noting that he has watched ‘every single UFC [event] probably multiple times.’ He added, ‘It’s my favorite sport. I’m honored that [UFC CEO Dana White] is giving me the chance to do this. Getting to do the anthem for this, with the Marine Band, is going to be sick. We’ve been working up some arrangements with them.’

Event Details and Public Access

The UFC Freedom 250 event is free but ticketed, with additional capacity made available due to high demand. Fans were able to request tickets from May 18 to May 22, 2025, through UFCFreedom250.com. The event is part of the larger White House-led Freedom 250 and District-led DC250 initiatives, which include neighborhood events, food, culture, and community experiences focused on local participation and economic opportunity.

The event will also include a fan fest featuring meet-and-greets with current and former UFC fighters, a formal weighing of combatants, and a concert by the Zac Brown Band. The festivities will be held on the White House grounds, with the main card on Sunday, June 14.