Ivanka Trump, an avid student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is set to play a central role in organizing a landmark Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House grounds as part of the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations on July 4, 2026.
A White House official confirmed that the first daughter will be involved in planning the championship fight, which President Donald Trump first floated last month while discussing nationwide events to mark the anniversary of American independence. The president envisioned a full-scale UFC championship match on the South Lawn, accommodating up to 25,000 spectators.
President Trump, a longtime UFC enthusiast who has attended multiple events since his 2016 election, has close ties with UFC president Dana White, who introduced him at the Republican National Convention. White revealed in an August 11 interview that Trump specifically requested Ivanka’s involvement in the planning process. The two have since begun discussing the possibilities, with White expected to visit Washington, D.C., later this month for further talks.
Ivanka Trump’s connection to martial arts is personal. She began practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu after her daughter Arabella took up lessons, describing the sport as “almost like a moving meditation” with “micro movements” and strategic depth similar to “three-dimensional chess.” She has noted the parallels between jiu-jitsu techniques and UFC moves, emphasizing the subtlety and precision involved.
During her father’s first presidential term, Ivanka served as a senior White House advisor, but she has maintained a relatively low public profile during the first six months of his second term. Her involvement in the UFC White House event could mark a visible return to the political and cultural stage.
The planned fight is expected to be a highlight of the 2026 Independence Day celebrations, underscoring the administration’s intention to blend sports, entertainment, and national commemoration in a historic setting.
