UFC heavyweight fighter Derrick Lewis has sent a clear message to President Donald Trump: he needs a pardon to compete at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn. Lewis expressed his willingness to participate in the historic fight night, but legal matters must be cleared first.
In an exclusive chat ahead of his main event fight at UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Lewis told OutKick that he is eager to step into the octagon for what would be a landmark UFC occasion. However, due to outstanding legal issues, he believes he must receive a presidential pardon before he can safely appear on White House grounds.
Legal Challenges Standing in Lewis’s Way
The 40-year-old fighter, known for holding the UFC record for most knockouts, joked about his situation.
“I’ve got warrants and a background, I don’t think they’re going to let me step foot [on the White House lawn],”
Lewis admitted. While the specific details remain unclear, Lewis has faced prior legal trouble, including an arrest for reckless driving at high speed in Texas in 2023.
He added,
“I need to talk to Trump anyway, I need him to pardon me for some things I’ve got going on.”
Despite these challenges, Lewis remains hopeful. When asked if he thought Trump would grant the pardon, he replied,
“I’m hoping! I’ve been telling Dana White to let Trump know, so we’ll see in the next few weeks! He’s been doing it and pardoning everyone else. Let [Trump] do it for me! I’ve been a good citizen for the last 20 years, so help me out.”
Trump’s Vision of a UFC Event at the White House
Earlier this month, President Trump announced plans to hold a UFC fight on the White House lawn as part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Speaking to a live audience just ahead of July 4th, Trump outlined the ambitious event.
“Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight. We’re going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House,”
Trump said.
He continued,
“Every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of ‘America250’ and I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight.”
Trump described that the event would draw a crowd of 20,000 to 25,000 people, calling Dana White “one of a kind” and stating that White would handle the event organizing.
What the White House UFC Event Could Mean for Lewis and Fans
Derrick Lewis stands out as a fighter ready to make history by competing at such an unprecedented venue, yet his legal status currently puts that opportunity at risk. If President Trump grants the pardon Lewis requests, it would clear the way for the heavyweight champion to fight in front of a global audience with the White House as a backdrop.
This event not only has the potential to celebrate a significant milestone in American history but would also bring a unique moment to the UFC and fight fans worldwide. For Lewis, performing on this platform could further cement his legacy as the UFC Knockouts leader and provide a powerful narrative of redemption and perseverance.
As the conversations between Lewis, Dana White, and the White House continue, the fighting community awaits news that could mark the next big chapter in UFC history.