Zac Brown says his planned national anthem performance at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House is about honoring troops—not politics—after the event drew sharp criticism over staging an MMA fight at the presidential residence.
Zac Brown didn’t waver when asked about performing at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. The country star, 47, framed the decision as tribute, not controversy.
On the Wednesday, June 10 edition of The Pat McAfee Show, Brown said, “Man, I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America,” adding that the moment is “patriotism, not politics for me.”
His appearance is set to mark the “Thank You for Loving Her” singer’s first national anthem performance at a UFC event since September 2001. The event itself—an anticipated seven-match card—will take place June 14 in a specially-constructed fight arena on the South Lawn of the White House. tied to President Donald Trump and his administration’s 250th anniversary celebrations for the U.S.
Trump, 79, is expected to attend. The card will be headlined by a lightweight championship bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Brown’s comments came as the UFC Freedom 250 gathering has drawn intense criticism, with Trump’s opponents arguing it’s inappropriate to stage an MMA fight at the White House.
For Brown, that criticism doesn’t land. He said his focus is the crowd of service members expected to be on hand—“8. 000 active service members.” “I mean. f*** all the division. I don’t believe in that,” he told McAfee. “I love this country. I love all the people that have sacrificed so that I can live my American dream and that everyone that lives here gets a chance to do that if they work hard and make the right decisions. So it doesn’t have a place in politics for me.”.
The singer also looked forward to the personal side of the weekend. He described himself as a “massive UFC fan” who has watched “every single UFC [event] probably multiple times. ” calling it “my favorite sport.” Brown said he was excited that UFC CEO Dana White is “giving me the chance to do this. ” and he’ll perform the anthem with the Marine Band.
“It’s my favorite sport,” Brown added. “I’m honored that [UFC CEO Dana White] is giving me the chance to do this … Getting to do the anthem for this, with the Marine Band, is going to be sick. We’ve been working up some arrangements with them. It’s an honor, man.”
He wrapped up by tying the announcement to a historic milestone: “I’m so excited for this weekend. And it’s history, man, getting to be part of American history, man. Having the first sporting event that’s on the lawn of the White House. I mean, it’s an honor.”
That sense of permanence is something Trump has also hinted at. In a TikTok video on June 2. Trump referenced the Eiffel Tower—built in 1889—and said it was originally expected to be taken down after the World’s Fair. He noted the plan changed because people wanted to keep it up longer. He then teased plans for the White House grounds. saying. “We’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people. It’s going to have a big UFC fight on June 14. and I’m looking at it. and maybe we’ll never ever take it down.”.
The UFC event is one piece of the Trump administration’s “Freedom 250” plans for the country’s 250th birthday. Before the fight on June 14, a series of concerts were due to be held under the same banner. But headliners Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and more backed out after questions about whether the shows were truly nonpartisan.
Trump later suggested canceling the concerts outright and instead scheduling a MAGA rally in Washington, D.C. on June 24, featuring music from Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio.
Zac Brown UFC Freedom 250 White House national anthem Marine Band UFC CEO Dana White Ilia Topuria Justin Gaethje Donald Trump Patriotism The Pat McAfee Show Freedom 250 250th anniversary