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Behind the Scenes at the UFC Octagon at White House
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Media preview of the UFC setup of the upcoming UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)
By Madalina Kilroy
6/11/2026Updated: 6/12/2026
The UFC Freedom Fight logo ahead of the event on June 14 at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC Freedom Fight logo ahead of the event on June 14 at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Members of the press walk through a preview of the UFC setup ahead of the UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. The first pro sporting event in history at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Members of the press walk through a preview of the UFC setup ahead of the UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. The first pro sporting event in history at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

UFC cage at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

UFC cage at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Chairs with signs that read, “Warning: Please do not stand on chair,” at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Chairs with signs that read, “Warning: Please do not stand on chair,” at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC octagon on the South Lawn and custom claw lighting arena rig towering on the South Lawn of the White House. The event will mark the first professional sporting event in history to be held at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. June 14, 2026, will also be President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and Flag Day. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC octagon on the South Lawn and custom claw lighting arena rig towering on the South Lawn of the White House. The event will mark the first professional sporting event in history to be held at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. June 14, 2026, will also be President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and Flag Day. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A U.S. Secret Service agent looks out from the White House rooftop on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A U.S. Secret Service agent looks out from the White House rooftop on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC setup at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC setup at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A member of the press takes a video as she walks through the UFC media preview at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A member of the press takes a video as she walks through the UFC media preview at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The Ellipse ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest will feature appearances from UFC athletes and celebrities, live music, and meet-and-greet opportunities. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The Ellipse ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest will feature appearances from UFC athletes and celebrities, live music, and meet-and-greet opportunities. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC screen ahead of UFC Freedom Fight. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC screen ahead of UFC Freedom Fight. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A worker tends the lawn near the UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A worker tends the lawn near the UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A reflection of the UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

A reflection of the UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Still photographers take photos of the UFC cage at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Still photographers take photos of the UFC cage at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

UFC setup of the upcoming UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

UFC setup of the upcoming UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Shoe prints appear after members of the press walk through the UFC setup ahead of the UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

Shoe prints appear after members of the press walk through the UFC setup ahead of the UFC Freedom Fight on June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

The UFC arena at the White House on June 11, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

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Madalina Kilroy is a photojournalist for The Epoch Times, based in Washington, DC. She covers the White House and Capitol Hill. She has traveled extensively to cover the 2024 election.
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