UFC president Dana White skipped UFC Fight Night 274 in Las Vegas to attend the annual Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C. He says he had a wild night after an active shooter incident broke out near the event.
What happened at the dinner
The star-studded dinner included President Trump and vice-president Vance. During the event, shots rang out nearby and the room erupted in panic. Secret Service agents rushed in and began escorting people out of the building.
It later emerged that a gunman tried to rush into the event armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Authorities apprehended the suspect. A Secret Service officer was shot during the commotion but was wearing protective gear and was quickly released from hospital.
Dana White’s reaction
White told UFCcoverage he watched the chaos without taking cover. He described the scene: tables flipping, people running and agents yelling “Get down.” He said he did not get down.
“I didn’t get down. It was f–king awesome. I literally took every minute of it in, and it was a pretty crazy, unique experience,” White said. He added that the noise and the sudden action made the night memorable.
Aftermath and safety
Officials say the suspect was stopped before entering the main event area. The quick response from the Secret Service helped secure the site and move guests to safety. The injured officer was treated and released.
White’s decision to attend the dinner meant he missed the UFC Fight Night 274 card in Las Vegas. He later spoke about the incident publicly, saying he was fine and that the experience was unlike anything he’d seen.
The event has raised questions about security and how public figures and guests are protected at high-profile dinners. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and have not released further details about the suspect or motive.
