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As the UFC Freedom 250 event prepares to take place on the White House lawn this weekend, the new outfits for the “Octagon Girls” have sparked a lively debate online. Set against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday celebration on June 14, the high-profile fights will unfold inside an 87-foot octagon cage erected on the South Lawn. This event is part of a broader lineup honoring America’s 250th anniversary, and the Octagon Girls’ patriotic attire is designed to reflect that theme.
The costumes feature a bold red, white, and blue palette with sequins, stars, stripes, and short skirts. While the outfits were unveiled just days before the event, they have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some critics pointing to concerns about the use of flag-inspired designs.
Costing an estimated $60 million, the UFC Freedom 250 promises a grand spectacle, and the Octagon Girls’ outfits match that level of extravagance. UFC’s own Red Dela Cruz and Chrissy Blair will wear the costumes, which were created by designer Marina Toybina. In an interview with Maxim, Toybina explained that the goal was to merge strength, athleticism, glamour, and American heritage into a look that is “sophisticated, powerful, and unmistakably iconic.”
Toybina described the design process as an evolution of a red, white, and blue narrative, incorporating rich textiles, custom embroidery, crystal embellishments, and patriotic motifs to bring texture, movement, and a fresh take on American glamour.
Despite these intentions, some voices online have expressed discomfort, citing potential violations of the U.S. Flag Code.
This code outlines how the American flag should be respected, including prohibitions against using the flag as clothing or costume. Social media users questioned whether the outfits showed disrespect, with comments ranging from disappointment to accusations of flag desecration.
However, it’s important to note that the Flag Code specifically governs the handling and display of the actual U.S. flag. Since the Octagon Girls’ outfits are inspired by the flag’s design but do not use actual flags, these regulations do not technically apply. Furthermore, the Flag Code serves as advisory etiquette rather than enforceable law for private citizens.
Clarifying this point, a Reddit user noted, “Those aren’t flags though. The Flag Code is about how the US flag is to be handled and displayed; it doesn’t apply to everything that has stripes and stars on it.”
Still, opinions remain divided, with some describing the outfits as “embarrassing” or “tacky,” highlighting the challenge of balancing patriotic symbolism with public sentiment in a high-profile event.