Joe Rogan has given his no-nonsense take on the upcoming UFC White House event after pictures of the construction, which is expected to cost around $60 million, emerged online.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, an unprecedented UFC event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, which also happens to be Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Around 5,000 spectators, including 1,000 members of the military, will watch one of the most anticipated events in UFC history alongside Trump, who has described it as "the greatest show on Earth".

So, who is taking part? Ilia Topuria will defend his undisputed lightweight belt against Justin Gaethje in the main event, while Alex Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

Michael Chandler, Sean O'Malley, Bo Nickal and Steve Garcia will also take part, but one man is far from convinced by the occasion.

Joe Rogan, who has been providing commentary for the UFC since 1997, has explained why he thinks the event is "odd" as he spoke to former UFC fighter Josh Thompson and referee John McCarthy.

“I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” he said on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. "It's June, and it's D.C. We looked it up – on the same day last year, it was 100 degrees. That's hot as f***. Then you add the lights. That attracts bugs. How are you going to stop the bugs?"

Rogan added: "I just don't think that you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment. I think it should be inside an air-conditioned arena. It should be a controlled environment.

"You wouldn't ask them to play a world championship basketball game outside in the sun. That'd be crazy, right? You play in an air-conditioned arena, and that's how it should be.

"I get it too, but listen — build a f****** roof. Build a roof. You've got all the money in the world, right? It's not my money but It's 4,000 seats. Build a 4,000-seat arena. Get a barndominium. Put it in there."

😳Joe Rogan says he hates the idea of having an UFC event at the White House:

“The White House thing is odd. I don't like the idea of fighting outside at all.

I just don't think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment. It should be… pic.twitter.com/jimKOcfNND

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 28, 2026

Dana White confirms UFC is breaking its own strict rule for White House card

The upcoming event will be unlike anything UFC have produced before. In fact, White has admitted the company will break their own rule at UFC Freedom 250, with "The Star-Spangled Banner" song set to be performed on June 14.

"We don't do the National Anthem," White said, as per MMA News.

"So one of the things that drives me crazy about boxing is they have to sing two National Anthems and all the stuff before the fight starts. We're an international business, we have people from everywhere.

"We could end up singing two National Anthems that are not even from this country and 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."

UFC White House card in full:

• Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje
• Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane
• Sean O'Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi
• Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler
• Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus
• Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia