The Public Integrity Project filed suit to stop the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, alleging violations of federal law. The lawsuit claims the Department of Interior and National Park Service broke regulations by allowing a private sporting event on federal land without congressional approval. Emergency injunction papers were filed early Sunday in DC federal court as the event approaches on Sunday.

Lead attorney Brendan Ballou called the event a "profound misuse of our sacred national monuments for private gain." The suit specifically targets the UFC's $60 million claw stadium structure on the South Lawn, which required environmental reviews not performed. Ballou emphasized this isn't an attack on MMA but on corruption facilitating the event with reported $1.