Dana White reveals national anthem performer for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House

You don’t typically hear the national anthem at UFC events. When the promotion touches down on the White House lawn for UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, that will change.

The UFC Freedom 250 card, which falls on president Donald Trump’s birthday, is intended to help celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary, which is technically July 4. The event is expected to be one of the biggest in MMA history. It will certainly be one of the most unique.

Part of what makes the card unique will be the rare inclusion of the national anthem.

Dana White: Zac Brown to sing National Anthem at UFC Freedom 250

Dana White says Zac Brown will perform the national anthem at the UFC White House event

It’s the first time a national anthem will be performed at a UFC event in years

(via @etnow)pic.twitter.com/ZKopaznKqF

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 20, 2026

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight over the weekend, UFC CEO Dana White shared the plans for the singing of the anthem at the event. He said the honor will go to country music star Zac Brown.

“We don’t do the national anthem,” White said. “One of the things that drives me crazy with boxing is they have to sing two national anthems and all this stuff before the fight starts. We’re an international business. We have people from everywhere. We could end up having two national anthems that are not even from this country, plus the whole world is watching us. We’re in over a billion homes worldwide, so I don’t do it.

“This will be the first time in a very long time, since UFC double digits, that we’ve done the national anthem, and Zac Brown will be doing it,” White added.

This will not be the only time UFC fans hear Zac Brown over the course of the White House festivities. The country star and his band will also play a full concert at the Ellipse, across the street from White House.

UFC Freedom 250 will be headlined by lightweight title fight, with undisputed champ Ilia Topuria taking on interim champ Justin Gaethje. In the co-headliner, Alex Pereira will fight Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt.