Construction is underway for an unprecedented Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the South Lawn of the White House, scheduled for June 14. The massive structure, featuring a 90-foot arch, will tower over the historic building as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. Here is everything you need to know about this unique spectacle.
What is the structure?
Crews are assembling a standard UFC cage, measuring 30 feet (9.1 meters) in diameter, directly in front of the White House entrance. President Donald Trump has described the temporary setup as a 5,000-seat arena erected just outside the front door. The cage sits beneath a colossal arch-like framework, which resembles a UFO more than a typical fighting venue. This arch was previously erected in rural Lititz, Pennsylvania, before being disassembled and transported to Washington. At 90 feet (27 meters) tall, it will dwarf the White House, which stands 70 feet (21 meters) tall on its south side.
Event details and cost
Dubbed UFC Freedom 250, the event carries a price tag of US$60 million for the UFC, including US$700,000 earmarked for replacing the South Lawn grass afterward. The fight card features seven matches, including two championship title bouts. Brazil's Alex Pereira will face France's Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight crown, while Ilia Topuria of Georgia takes on U.S. interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Canadian fighter Aiemann Zahabi, born in Laval, Quebec, is also on the card, competing against Sean O'Malley of the United States in a bantamweight bout.
Ticket availability
Tickets are not available for purchase. UFC president Dana White announced that 4,300 people will watch the event on the South Lawn, primarily invited members of the military. An additional 85,000 tickets will be offered free of charge to the public for viewing at nearby Ellipse Park. No general sale tickets are available. However, the BBC reports that VIP packages for high rollers, costing US$1.5 million, will provide special access. Trump commented on the high demand, stating, "I have never seen anybody want anything so much as people want those tickets."
Trump's connection to the UFC
Trump has a long-standing relationship with the UFC, dating back to 2001 when his Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City hosted a UFC event. White recalled, "Nobody took us seriously, except Donald Trump." The two are longtime friends, and White has supported Trump in each of his presidential campaigns.
Other White House modifications
The UFC stands are the latest in a series of modifications Trump has made to the White House and its grounds. Previous changes include adding gold details to the Oval Office, paving over the Rose Garden grass to install a patio, refurbishing the bathroom off the Lincoln bedroom, and most controversially, demolishing the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom.
