The octagon currently being assembled on the White House lawn for the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 could become a permanent fixture, President Donald Trump suggested in a video posted on social media Tuesday.
Although the event is aimed at celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary, it will actually take place on June 14, which happens to be Trump’s 80th birthday.
But after the crowds disperse from this event, the President believes the fighting cage could hold some value at 1600 Pennsylvania Age.
In a video posted to TikTok, Trump called the structure ‘attractive’ before comparing it to the iconic Paris’ Eiffel Tower.
Trump said, ‘People don’t know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower – 1889, it was built – it was supposed to be taken down immediately after the World’s Fair.
‘And then they said, you know, we sort of like it. Let’s leave it up a little bit longer. And then they said, let’s leave it up longer and longer and longer.
President Donald Trump praised the ‘attractive’ UFC octagon being built at the White House
Trump compared the structure to the Eiffel Tower and hinted that he might not take it down
The White House will host a fight for Dana White’s MMA promotion on June 14
‘Well, they never took it down. And, you know, we’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people.
‘It’s going to have the big UFC fight on June 14th. And I’m looking at it and maybe we’ll never, ever take it down.’
Trump’s notion of keeping the octagon up and active comes at a time where there have been multiple legal challenges to his demolition of the East Wing of the White House in order to build a large ballroom.
Courts have ruled that the President doesn’t have the legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. However, appeals have allowed construction to continue.
The UFC fight, dubbed ‘UFC Freedom 250’, is scheduled to feature a pair of championship bouts.
Alex Pereira is set to fight Cyril Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight title. If Pereira wins, he’d be the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three divisions.
But the main event of the evening is a fight to unify the UFC Lightweight Championships – currently held by Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.
