Thousands have descended on the Ellipse in Washington DC on Sunday afternoon in anxious anticipation for the UFC Freedom 250 card at the nearby White House.
The historic fight night is set to take place on Sunday evening – which just so happens to be Donald Trump’s 80th birthday – on the White House’s South Lawn.
The UFC has said it spent $60 million on this weekend’s festivities, which are to mark both the nation’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s birthday. The Republican president has billed it as ‘the greatest show on earth.’
And UFC fans and patriots alike were not missing out on the chance to snatch a front row seat as they arrived at the promotion’s fan fest hours before the fighters were slated to take to the Octagon on the South Lawn.
The President will, of course, take center stage. Trump is planning to walk out of the White House surrounded by cabinet leaders, top administration officials, Republican lawmakers and 4,000-plus spectators screaming themselves hoarse in a temporary arena under ‘The Claw,’ a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lighting, sound equipment and large screens.
Thousands more – those who had been waiting in line long before the first fight – are set to watch on big screens from the nearby Ellipse.
Fans line up as the gates open for the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at The Ellipse on June 14,
Fans in red MAGA hats can be seen on The Ellipse for the free UFC Freedom 250 watch party
The view from under ‘The Claw,’ a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with UFC equipment
People take part in a protest organized by Refuse Fascism against the Trump administration ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 event
‘This event is a one of one event, incredible event. I love it,’ said UFC chief Dana White, a close friend of the president, during a Friday night hype session at the Lincoln Memorial.
The weather for Sunday’s event remains a potential threat, not that the White House wants to hear it.
According to The Weather Channel, there is a 60-percent chance of thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy downpours and wind gusts of up to 34 mph. The network shared the news in a post with a graphic reading: ‘Rain, 30mph winds and mosquitos on the White House lawn.’
White House spokespeople responded under their @RapidResponse47 handle on X.
‘This event is about celebrating America’s unmatched greatness after 250 years — which apparently doesn’t sit well with the friendless loser who wrote this bulls*** clickbait headline.
‘Rain or shine, we’re celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!’
This is the planned setup for Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 on the White House’s South Lawn
Cranes are seen near the White House ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday
A satellite image shows the White House and The Ellipse after the construction of the setup
House speaker and Trump ally Mike Johnson has arrived at UFC Freedom 250
The weather for Sunday’s event remains a potential threat, not that the White House cares
The fight card headlined by two title fights on Paramount+ is scheduled to start at 8pm EST.
It’s the pinnacle of the relationship between UFC CEO Dana White and Trump that has yielded personal, political and financial dividends for both parties in a relationship that goes back 25 years. White’s first card as UFC president came in 2001 at an event held at Trump Taj Mahal.
Trump has attended four UFC cards as sitting president, walking to the cage amid rock music and patriotic chants from fans much like the fighters themselves. White introduced Trump at two Republican National Conventions. White also attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April that was cut short by a shooting.
In a card that has been panned by fans online as underwhelming, Alex Pereira of Brazil will meet Ciryl Gane of France for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria then takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.
There are five other fights on the main card that include former title-fight participants Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis and former 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley.
White said the show will go on rain or shine. Strong thunderstorms and heavy lightning disrupted Friday’s Lincoln Memorial promotional event, and the forecast for Sunday evening also looks threatening.
