Was the biggest sporting event of the year not the Super Bowl, but a UFC card held on the White House lawn? That's the bold claim coming from a top Republican official.
Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told Fox News that UFC Freedom 250 attracted a larger audience than this year's Super Bowl. According to Nielsen, Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks averaged 125.6 million viewers on NBC — just shy of the 127.7 million who watched Super Bowl LIX on FOX. Gruters didn't provide specific numbers for UFC's event, but his statement has sparked debate across sports media.
A Stacked Card Steals the Spotlight
Held on the South Lawn of the White House, Freedom 250 featured a loaded lineup. Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria to claim the lightweight title, Ciryl Gane stopped Alex Pereira via second-round TKO, and Sean O'Malley earned a win over Aiemann Zahabi. The event was part of America's 250th birthday celebrations, with UFC president Dana White emphasizing its non-political intent.
“I love this country, and this event was for America’s 250th birthday. There was no political agenda or anything like that,” White said. “The fact that the president of the United States trusted me, they could have had anything. There’s tons of things going on in this city up until July 4 to celebrate. The fact that he trusted me to do this and to deliver tonight and we did.”
Despite the success, White made it clear that a return engagement is unlikely. The event came with a hefty price tag, and White stated the UFC cannot afford to repeat it. “I can’t afford it,” he said. “I’ll never do the Sphere again, and we’ll never do this again.”
More Than Just Fights
The event wasn't without its share of drama beyond the octagon. Joe Rogan faced criticism for his reaction to a derogatory remark about Michelle Obama, and Daniel Cormier claimed his account was hacked after Eric Trump accused the UFC of rigging a fight. Meanwhile, ring girl Chrissy Blair turned heads with a stunning white swimsuit photo, adding a touch of glamour to the historic night.
Whether or not Freedom 250 truly outdrew the Super Bowl may never be confirmed, but the claim alone underscores the massive cultural footprint the UFC has carved out. For now, the promotion is basking in the glow of a one-of-a-kind event — even if it's a one-time deal.
