The Pentagon is calling on troops from all branches to fill seats at Donald Trump's UFC cage-fighting spectacle at the White House, but only those who meet strict waistline requirements will be selected. The event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, is scheduled for June 14, marking America's 250th anniversary, which also coincides with Trump's 80th birthday.
Criteria for Troop Selection
According to memos obtained by the Washington Post, the Defense Department, led by Pete Hegseth, specifically requests junior enlisted troops and junior officers. The memos stipulate that personnel must meet the current waist-height ratio and physical fitness standards. An Air Force memo explicitly states: 'Troops MUST MEET CURRENT WAIST-HEIGHT RATIO and current physical fitness standard.'
The current Pentagon standard requires a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55, calculated by dividing waist circumference by height. For instance, a 6-foot service member would be ineligible with a waist larger than 39.6 inches, while a 5-foot-8 soldier would be disqualified with a waist exceeding 37.4 inches. Troops are instructed to wear short-sleeve dress uniforms and must cover their own travel expenses to Washington.
The Pentagon declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Event and Controversy
The UFC Freedom 250 event has sparked division among Americans and fighters alike. Bantamweight Sean O'Malley described it as a 'once in a lifetime opportunity,' while fellow fighter Brandon Royval called it 'Hunger Games nonsense.' The event will feature a 5,000-seat temporary arena on the South Lawn, with construction already underway, including a colossal stars-and-stripes arch.
Trump has claimed the entire country is invited to the 'free' event, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to watch on a big screen at The Ellipse, a 52-acre park just south of the White House fence. 'I think it's gonna be the biggest event we've ever had at the White House,' Trump said. 'The White House doesn't really do athletic events for the most part, and these are all the greatest champions in the world.'
The card will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje, with Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane fighting for the UFC heavyweight title in the co-main event. Despite the excitement, UFC boss Dana White has acknowledged concerns about a potential gnat invasion, given the outdoor setting.
