A federal court has ruled against a request to stop the UFC Freedom 250 fight scheduled for this weekend on the South Lawn of the White House. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied the lawsuit filed by two Virginia residents, stating they did not demonstrate a likelihood of standing to bring the claims in federal court. Judge Mehta noted that even if the residents had standing, they failed to show how they would be irreparably harmed by the event. He criticized the timing of the lawsuit, which was filed just one week before the event, despite public knowledge of the planned fight since its announcement in July 2025.
The lawsuit, supported by the activist group Public Integrity Project, claimed that the event violated National Park Service regulations and imposed a burden on taxpayers. The Department of Justice supported the denial of the lawsuit, asserting that the regulations do not prohibit the UFC activities. Following the ruling, the fight and related activities can proceed as planned. The event is set to begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, featuring a seven-fight lineup in a specially constructed venue called 'the Claw,' which will accommodate 4,500 spectators, with additional viewing available on large screens nearby. This event is part of the celebrations leading up to the United States' 250th birthday on July 4.