Watch live as the White House hosts the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event on Sunday (14 June), which also coincides with Donald Trump’s birthday.
The event is part of celebrations marking 250 years of US independence, with the UFC stating that the fights are being held to commemorate the “American fighting spirit”.
About 4,300 people are expected at the invite-only mixed martial arts event, the first ever professional sporting event staged at the White House and what Mr Trump has promised will be the “greatest show on earth”.
Nearby Ellipse park is expected to hold more than 120,000 visitors for a watch party.
A UFC cage, featuring a 92-foot-tall “Claw” above the octagon-shaped stage, has been constructed on the South Lawn, where seven bouts involving 14 fighters will take place.
Significant fights include Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title and Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.
Organised by UFC president and CEO Dana White, a close friend of Trump, the event has cost the company about $60m (£45m).
Just days before the bouts, a lawsuit was filed by two Virginia residents who tried to halt it, arguing that it was “deeply corrupt”. On Friday (12 June), a federal judge rejected the request.
