Trump Welcomes UFC Champions to Oval Office for White House Fight Preview

President Donald Trump welcomed UFC champions Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane to the Oval Office for a preview of an upcoming fight on the White House South Lawn.

The meeting came ahead of a June 14 event to celebrate America's 250th birthday, Flag Day and Trump's birthday. Trump plans to turn the White House grounds into a fight venue.

"June 14, we're having a big fight," Trump said, showing renderings of the fight stage. "It's never going to happen again; it's never happened before. It's all of the best fighters, the best four fighters standing behind me, all four champions, and it's going to happen right in front of the White House. This will be the greatest show on Earth."

The card will be headlined by a lightweight bout between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje. A heavyweight matchup between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane is also set.

Trump praised the fighters' toughness. "There are no people tougher in sports than the people behind me. These are the toughest people. Alex Pereira, we've seen him knock out a lot of people. That's what he does. Ilia Topuria, who they say does not get tougher. Very special."

Topuria thanked Trump for the invitation. "I also want to thank God to give us this beautiful day and to give us the opportunity to experience how it feels to be in our Oval Office. It's going to be amazing and we want to thank you for this opportunity. And I never thought you will be so kind."

"Well, I have a false image," Trump replied with a joke.

Topuria asked Trump, "Why you want to give the toughest test to a friend of yours?"

"Because he knows that's what I want," Gaethje said.

Trump agreed. "I want to give the hardest test, that's right. What are your chances of winning?"

"I have complete faith. 100%," Topuria answered. "And I hope [Gaethje] has the same faith."

Alex Pereira thanked Trump for the chance to fight at the White House. "I would like to thank the opportunity to be fighting in the White House. We know it's a special event that everybody would like to be present. It makes me feel special."

Ciryl Gane said, "Just want to say thank you. It's an honor. I'm really proud. It's going to be really special, one time in your life."

Gaethje noted Trump's early support for the UFC. "What an unbelievable honor. I'm not sure many know how big of a part you were to the UFC coming on and becoming mainstream in the early '90s when no one believed in us and they thought we were just absolute animals. It's truly an honor. Awesome that it's your birthday, awesome that it's Flag Day, wonderful to represent this country. I think we'd be 10 years behind if it wasn't for you. To have a president that's willing to go against an upstream and against the norms is truly special. That's why you got my vote. And, it's why we're such a great nation right now compared to where we were."