Joe Rogan listens to President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Joe Rogan has again expressed serious concerns about the UFC’s planned White House event, questioning whether fighters should compete outdoors amid fears surrounding extreme heat, insects, rain and broader logistical complications tied to the historic card.The longtime UFC commentator criticised the event during a recent episode of his podcast, where he admitted he remains uncomfortable with the idea of staging a major championship-level fight card outside on the White House South Lawn.Rogan’s concerns come just days after UFC president Dana White himself acknowledged several unexpected production and environmental issues connected to the event, including swarms of insects around the venue.The card, officially titled “Freedom 250” to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, is scheduled to take place on June 14 at the White House. Construction on the temporary arena reportedly began earlier this week, with cranes, scaffolding and other heavy equipment appearing on the South Lawn as preparations intensify.
Rogan questions outdoor setting and extreme Washington heat
Rogan focused much of his criticism on the weather conditions fighters could face in Washington during mid-June. “The White House thing is odd, I don’t like it,” Rogan said during the podcast. “I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all. And then it’s June, and it’s DC, and we looked it up the last time. Like last year, the same day was like 100 degrees. That’s hot as f–k.”According to the National Weather Service, the average high temperature in Washington on June 14 is approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while the record high for that date stands at 98 degrees. Rogan argued that championship-level fights should only take place inside climate-controlled arenas rather than in unpredictable outdoor environments.“I just don’t think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment,” Rogan said.“I think it should be inside an air-conditioned arena. It should be a controlled environment. Like you don’t ask someone to play a world championship basketball game outside in the sun. That would be crazy. Like you play in a f–king air-conditioned arena. That’s how it should be.”
Rogan also worried about insects and production complications
Beyond the heat, Rogan questioned how organisers plan to handle insects around the lighting rigs and production setup expected for the event.“And then the lights [could bring bugs], and then they were talking about using fans. Is that enough? With bug strips everywhere? What are you gonna do? Like, how are you gonna stop the bugs?” he said.
Equipment being placed on the South Lawn of the White House is seen from the Washington Monument, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Washington. The UFC is holding a mixed martial arts fight on June 14 as part of America 250 celebrations. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The UFC commentator has repeatedly criticised the White House card in recent months.Earlier in March, Rogan questioned the timing of the event amid the ongoing Iran conflict and raised concerns about security risks associated with hosting such a high-profile gathering at the White House.“I know it’s going to be very high security and high stress and weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f–king war,” Rogan said at the time.“I would hope the war will be sorted out by June, but quite honestly, I’m not confident that’s going to be the case. So that’ll be weird, having this very high profile event where everyone’s in one place at one time right there.”In another earlier podcast episode, Rogan described the event as “kind of a gimmick” and admitted: “I’ll be there, but I’m not thrilled about it.”Despite his repeated criticism, reports from Time earlier this week indicated Rogan is still expected to serve on commentary duty for the event.
Dana White admits bugs have already become a major issue
Interestingly, many of Rogan’s concerns closely mirror comments recently made by UFC president Dana White himself.Speaking during an appearance on Boardroom with Rich Kleiman last week, White revealed that insects had already become a significant concern during preliminary visits to the White House grounds.“The amount of gnats that were flying around… I’m like, ‘Holy sh*t,’” White said after observing the South Lawn and Rose Garden area.“These are all the little details that we have to think about. That’s why I don’t like fighting outside. Ever.”White explained that the large lighting structures planned for the event could attract even more insects during the broadcast, potentially creating problems both for fighters inside the octagon and for production crews.The UFC is reportedly considering industrial fans and other technical solutions to reduce insect activity around the cage area.
White says outdoor fights come with too many variables
In an interview with NPR last week, White also acknowledged the many environmental complications associated with hosting an outdoor combat sports event.“There’s two things I hate. I hate stadiums, and even worse than a stadium is fighting outside,” White said.He added there are “so many different variables” that could impact the event, including rain, lightning, extreme heat and bugs.While criticism surrounding the event has continued growing, White has repeatedly defended the UFC’s decision to proceed with the card. Speaking to Rolling Stone this week, White insisted the promotion cannot stop operating because of global crises or political tensions.The UFC “can’t just bend and break and roll over for every bad thing that happens in the world,” White said, adding that he is “not going to not run my business” because of the Iran conflict or other international issues.“There’s always bad things going on,” he told Rolling Stone.
White rejects political criticism surrounding the event
White has also pushed back against claims that the event is politically motivated.Speaking to Time, White said he is “spending a sh–load of money to celebrate the 250th birthday of America.”He additionally stated that his friendship with President Donald Trump is not centred around politics and claimed the two do not discuss political matters together.Renderings released by UFC over the weekend showed a large temporary arena setup featuring thousands of seats surrounding the octagon with the White House positioned directly behind the structure.
President Donald Trump holds up an image depicting a preview of the “big fight” happening on the South Lawn on June 14 during a meeting with UFC fighters, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
White told Rolling Stone that the venue is expected to hold more than 4,000 spectators on the South Lawn itself, while another 85,000 fans could reportedly watch the fights on large screens positioned throughout the nearby Ellipse park.The unusual setting is already shaping up to become one of the most heavily scrutinised events in UFC history as organisers continue working through the practical complications surrounding weather, security and outdoor production conditions. Go to Source
