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Final preparations are underway on the White House lawn for the historic UFC 250 event, scheduled for June 14 in Washington, D.C., coinciding with former President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
The octagonal cage, which will host multiple championship bouts, was initially promoted as featuring eight title fights but now is set to showcase two. The cage has been adorned with a roof designed in the style of the American flag, complete with white stars on a blue background. Workers were seen making final adjustments on Sunday, with cranes supporting the structure below.
The event is expected to draw an audience of around 5,000, primarily composed of military personnel and VIP guests.
UFC President Dana White is investing approximately $60 million in the event but insists that the occasion is not political. In an interview with Time Magazine, White emphasized the patriotic nature of the celebration, stating, “It’s the 250th birthday of America.
What better place to celebrate it than the White House?” He also highlighted his respect for the office of the presidency regardless of political affiliation, saying, “I’m friends with people on the far left, and I’m friends with people on the far right, and I consider myself right down the middle.”
White acknowledged that politics can be drawn into any event but underscored his love for the country, adding, “This is basically me spending a lot of money to celebrate the 250th birthday of America, with America and the rest of the world.”
Attendance for military members is subject to physical standards, as outlined in a recent memo requiring guests to meet specific waist-height ratios and fitness criteria. This aligns with ongoing military efforts to promote fitness and readiness, as emphasized last year by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The two championship fights slated for UFC 250 include Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title, headlining the event, and a heavyweight interim title bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.