UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has voiced strong criticism regarding the UFC’s upcoming event scheduled for the South Lawn of the White House in 2026. Mitchell, known for his “Thug Nasty” persona, accused Dana White’s promotion of aligning the sport with Donald Trump’s political agenda. Despite his reservations, he still considers the UFC to be the premier sport in the world.
Bryce Mitchell Slams UFC White House Event Due to Donald Trump Ties
Mitchell articulated his perspective in a candid statement that has gained traction on MMA social media platforms:
I do believe the UFC is the premier sport globally. However, this White House card, in my opinion, represents a flagrant exploitation of political influence to foster adoration for Donald Trump. They are attempting to leverage the world’s most popular sport to serve Trump’s campaign as he allegedly devastates the nation… How much clearer can it be that this individual aims for global domination, but rest assured, the fights will be excellent!
He further elaborated in his caption, stating: “I also believe Trump is the antichrist of Revelation.”
This statement carries significant weight given Mitchell’s prior public support for Trump. In December 2024, Mitchell had expressed his willingness to “take a bullet and die” for Trump, a sentiment he reiterated during a UFC 310 press conference after his win against Kron Gracie.
However, his stance shifted dramatically less than a year later. In an Instagram video posted in October 2025, he informed his 600,000 followers that he no longer supported the president, labeling him a “corrupted leader” who had misled him on issues such as the Epstein files, foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine, and beef prices. In the same video, he directed viewers to Revelation 13:3, suggesting Trump could be the figure described therein.
The event Mitchell is referencing is “UFC Freedom 250,” scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House. This date coincides with Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. Current reports indicate that Ilia Topuria is slated to headline the June 14 event against Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title, with Alex Pereira facing Ciryl Gane in the co-main event for an interim heavyweight belt.
Trump and Dana White have maintained a close relationship since the early 2000s, when Trump hosted UFC events at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City during a time when the sport faced venue limitations. White has been a speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and was present on stage with Trump on election night in 2024.
A 2024 profile in The New York Times described White as Trump’s “conduit to modern fight fans” and characterized the UFC as the MAGA movement’s “semiofficial sport.” Trump attended UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden days after winning the election, accompanied by Elon Musk, Mike Johnson, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He was also ringside at UFC 327 in Miami earlier this year, where he reportedly advocated for Derrick Lewis to be added to an upcoming card.
Bryce Mitchell’s History of Controversy
Mitchell has a history of generating headlines beyond his cage performances. In January 2025, during the inaugural episode of his podcast “ArkanSanity,” he controversially referred to Adolf Hitler as a “good guy,” denied the Holocaust, and made homophobic remarks. Dana White described these comments as the most “egregious” he had ever heard. The UFC chose not to discipline him, citing free speech principles. Mitchell has also publicly espoused beliefs such as a flat Earth, accused Israel of orchestrating 9/11, and suggested that Brazilian fighter Jean Silva was “possessed by demons.” His loss to Silva at UFC 314 in April 2025 preceded his public distancing from Trump.
Collectively, Mitchell’s recent remarks position a fighter associated with the MAGA movement, from within the UFC roster itself, as publicly denouncing the promotion’s flagship event as a campaign tool. This perspective highlights that opposition to the White House card has primarily emanated from political commentators rather than fighters participating in the event.
Bryce Mitchell, an Arkansas featherweight, has strongly criticized the UFC’s planned White House event for June 2026. Mitchell, nicknamed “Thug Nasty,” has accused the promotion of aligning the sport with Donald Trump’s political agenda, despite acknowledging the UFC as the best sport available. He stated, “I do think the UFC is the best sport in the world, however this White House card, I do think, is an egregious use of political favor to make people worship Donald Trump. They are trying to make the most popular sport and make it conducive to Trump’s campaign while he destroys this nation… How much clearer does it get this guy is trying to take over the world, but hey don’t worry, the fights are going to be great!” He also added that he believes Trump is the “antichrist of Revelation.” This statement is significant as Mitchell had previously declared his support for Trump, even stating he would “take a bullet and die” for him. However, he later reversed his stance, calling Trump a “corrupted leader” and pointing to biblical prophecy regarding the former president. The event, “UFC Freedom 250,” is scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the White House South Lawn, coinciding with Flag Day and Trump’s 80th birthday. The card is expected to feature Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. Mitchell has a history of controversial statements, including comments about Adolf Hitler, the Holocaust, and a flat Earth, for which the UFC cited free speech in its decision not to discipline him.
