The Rock declines UFC invite to White House event on 18 Jun

The Rock was invited to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on 18 Jun but declined to attend, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. The event took place the same weekend as the live-action Moana premiere and UFC 329, neither of which Johnson attended.

UFC Freedom 250 was staged at the White House on 18 Jun. Meltzer said Johnson has skipped the last show he was invited to, adding that The Rock’s attendance has become less frequent in recent years. The UFC confirmed the invite but did not comment on why Johnson declined.

The no-show comes as Meltzer questioned whether Johnson’s star power is waning after the live-action Moana opened to just $40 million domestically. Meltzer suggested Johnson may be pivoting toward a Broadway run, noting the actor’s broader career ambitions outside wrestling and film.

UFC 329 ran the same weekend, headlined by Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway. The fight ended in 77 seconds when McGregor hurt his knee, but Johnson did not attend. The Irishman’s early defeat capped a rough weekend for the UFC’s marquee matchups.