Here is one fighter who will not be fighting at UFC Freedom 250: “F--- all the politicians, in my opinion”

UFC fans and combat‑sports diehards are already counting down to one of the most anticipated events of the year: UFC Freedom 250. The event will take place on June 14 at an unprecedented venue — the White House in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday, expected to attend.

The main attraction of the night will be the lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. And that’s just the headliner — the card is stacked with additional high‑profile bouts that promise a blockbuster night for UFC fans.

Leave politics out of sport

But one UFC fighter feels strongly that politics should be left out of sport. Brandon Royval (17-9-0) isn’t on the Freedom 250 fight card, but even if he had been invited to take part, he would have turned the offer down.

“I don’t give a s*** about fighting at the f***ing White House,” the 33-year-old said in an expletive-filled rant on the In the Arena podcast. “I want to fight in front of big crowds, bro. It’s like, how big can the White House even have of a stadium? Is that s*** outside too?

“I don’t give a f*** about any of our political figures right now, and it’s like to fight in front of them seems like some f***ing ‘Hunger Games’ type of f***ing s***,” Royval continued. “I don’t give a f*** to fight in front of some f***ing billionaires and rich people that could give a s*** less about me. Probably throwing parlays. F*** you guys. I want to fight in front of people that are ‘Raw Dawg’ fans, or fans of MMA, and who can relate to me. I’m not trying to fight in front of these f***ing a**holes. F*** all these politicians, in my opinion.

Risk of being deported to a foreign country

Even though he was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Royval joked that his Hispanic looks might also get him into trouble - another reason to give the White House event a miss. “I really don’t want to f***ing go fight at the White House if I’m being honest. Also, I’m too Mexican-looking. ICE is suspiciously arresting motherf***ers, and I don’t know. Who knows, bro? Next thing you know, I’m in Mexico and I don’t speak Spanish.”

Royval, who lost his last bout to Portugal’s Manel Kape at UFC on ESPN 73 back in December, is back in the octagon next month to face Lone’er Kavanagh at UFC 329 in Paradise, Nevada.

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