US President Donald Trump said he is planning mixed martial arts (MMA) fights - UFC - at the White House next year, as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"In each of our national parks, at the sites of former battles and at our historical sites, there will be special events in honor of "America 250", Trump said last night at the event titled "America 250" at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on the occasion of today's US national holiday.
"We will have a UFC fight - I think about it - on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of space there. The fight will be the same as in the UFC championship. Something like 20-25,000 people (for the audience - editor's note). We're going to do it, it's part of (celebrations for) 250 (years of the United States)," Trump said.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed the president's plans, adding that the president was "absolutely serious."
A UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) representative told CNN that his federation did not have details at this stage, but could confirm that "negotiations are underway with the White House about a UFC event there."
Trump has been close to UFC owner Dana White for years and has attended several free-fighting galas.
In April in Miami, Florida, he became the first sitting US president to parade like the fighters along the path leading to the Octagon, DPA recalls.