WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Defense issued a memo in May 2025 requiring service members who attend the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn on June 14 to meet specific physical fitness standards. Attendees must satisfy all service-specific physical fitness test requirements and maintain a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55.

According to the Pentagon memo, only uniformed personnel are permitted to attend the event, and they may not bring family members. Eligible attendees include junior enlisted personnel and junior officers—the military’s lowest pay grades—from commands around the world who request tickets. However, the Defense Department will not cover travel expenses for those selected.

The memo directs military commands to distribute tickets through a fair and transparent selection process and emphasizes that invitations should go to genuine UFC fans rather than being reserved solely for high-ranking or distinguished visitors. Service members chosen to attend must wear a short sleeve uniform with appropriate military regalia and headgear.

The event will be held outdoors on the South Lawn and is designated as standing room only, with no covered areas provided. Discussions have been ongoing for months between event organizers and Defense Department officials about whether military attendees will be classified as “deployed” during the event, though no determination has been publicly announced.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter when asked for further details about the event or the selection criteria. The memo itself remains the primary source of information outlining attendance requirements and expectations for service members invited to the White House grounds for the UFC event.

The UFC Freedom 250 event is part of a series of public outreach efforts by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in collaboration with federal agencies. The Defense Department’s involvement includes coordinating military representation at the event, which aims to highlight physical readiness standards within the armed forces.