A UFC event tied to the White House turned into a social-media flashpoint after Daniel Cormier alleged he received messages from Eric Trump about whether fights scheduled for Sunday, June 11 were rigged—an allegation Eric Trump quickly denied.
The UFC Freedom 250 was still hours away when Daniel Cormier posted a late-night exchange that put Eric Trump at the center of an unsettling question: were any of the fights rigged?
Cormier. the former UFC fighter and on-air commentator. said the messages were an attempt to seek inside information about matchups planned for the White House on Sunday. June 11. The controversy landed publicly on Cormier’s X account through a sequence of posts that were later deleted. pulling attention to a White House-linked UFC plan that has already attracted praise and criticism.
Cormier described a conversation that began at 11:28 p.m. on Saturday, June 13 and stretched past 1 a.m. the next day. In one message, Eric Trump wrote, “I’ll just cut to the chase. Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged?. I’ve been eyeing the (Diego) Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic $$.”.
Diego Lopes is scheduled to fight Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout.
Cormier replied with a firm denial, posting: “No none of our fights are rigged and honestly I am appalled that you would even ask me something like that.’’
Before the exchange ended, Cormier’s account framed the issue as a breach of sporting standards. At the top of the thread. he wrote. “I’m probably going to get a lot of flak for bringing this to light. however I refuse to stay silent. The UFC is a sport that I am deeply passionate about. I will not tolerate this type of insider behavior. Shame on anyone trying to ruin this beautiful event.’’.
Eight messages from the apparent exchange were posted at 5:59 p.m., according to the deleted X activity Cormier shared.
Cormier was expected to join Joe Rogan on the livestream Sunday night. A request for comment was sent to Cormier by text message to a phone registered in his name, but he did not respond.
Eric Trump’s response
Eric Trump later replied on X, proclaiming that the allegations are false.
The dispute adds a sharp new layer to a UFC White House plan that has already split reactions. with the spectacle of combat sports colliding with a political moment many observers say is increasingly divisive. With Cormier’s allegation focused on insider behavior—and Trump’s denial landing immediately—the event’s build-up now carries a question that fans may not be able to shake: what. if anything. was really being sought in those late-night messages?.
UFC Freedom 250 Daniel Cormier Eric Trump White House UFC event June 11 Diego Lopes Steve Garcia rigged fights Joe Rogan livestream