1,000+ Service Members Invited to White House UFC Event

More than 1,000 active-duty U.S. service members are expected to attend a UFC mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House next month, but they must meet specific physical fitness standards and cover their own travel expenses, according to internal military guidance. The event, UFC Freedom 250, is scheduled for June 14 and coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Internal memoranda circulated across military branches indicate that approximately 1,200 seats have been allocated for military personnel. To be eligible, service members must satisfy the Department of Defense's waist-to-height ratio requirement of less than 0.55, along with all service-specific physical fitness test standards. The guidance states that preference will be given to junior enlisted personnel and junior officers who are genuine UFC fans. Family members are not permitted to attend.

The fitness requirements drew public attention after an image of the guidance was shared on a social media page for soldiers with a caption referencing the standards. The body composition rules are consistent with new Pentagon policies introduced earlier this year that use waist-to-height ratio as a...