Heavyweight fighters Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit will compete on the South Lawn of the White House at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The matchup was finalized after a direct scheduling request from United States President Donald Trump to UFC CEO Dana White.
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Trump noticed Lewis was omitted from the initial six-fight card during an April event in Miami.
White then called Lewis, who immediately agreed to participate in the historic event.
Lewis enters the fight following a recovery period after a January loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He attributed the performance to a back injury while weighing nearly 300 pounds.
The 41-year-old fighter holds the promotion record for most knockout wins with 16.
He commented on the classifications of his discussions regarding the event booking, saying, "It's classified."
Lewis expressed concern over his 28-year-old opponent's quick return to action.
Hokit absorbed 214 strikes in a unanimous decision victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 just 64 days prior.
"I believe so," Lewis told MMA Junkie on Friday. "He had to have some time off.
I don't care how.
Even if he wanted to fight a couple of seconds, I still believe your body and your brain still need time off.
I believe he's making a mistake."
Lewis reflected on his personal journey from serving three and a half years in prison for a probation violation to headlining a card at the executive mansion.
