UFC and State Department sign MOU during White House event
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 4:53 PM
Last updated Jun 12, 2026
The UFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of State on June 12, 2026, during a ceremony attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC CEO Dana White. This event occurs as the UFC sets up a notable presence on the South Lawn of the White House, which has prompted a mix of reactions from the public and media. The signing represents an initiative to expand the sport's global reach, emphasizing its universal appeal. UFC's growth from its early beginnings to such partnerships illustrates its transition into a mainstream sport.
- •Dana White and Marco Rubio attend the signing ceremony.
- •Event held on the White House South Lawn.
- •MOU aims to maximize global reach for the UFC.
- •Ceremony coincides with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
- •Previous partnerships with the NFL highlight the UFC's growing prominence.
- 4:53 PMYahoo Sports — Inside the UFC's White House week: Dana White, diplomats and the bizarre road to Freedom 250
"As UFC settles into its unprecedented White House takeover, a stroll through Washington reveals a city grappling with the strange reality of Dana White's sporting spectacle.
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