The fight is on, but a pair of unexpected environmental threats are looming. A federal judge has rejected an attempt to block Donald Trump’s UFC cage match from taking place after a lawsuit accused the administration of a “deeply corrupt” scheme to line the pockets of his allies.
Instead, the immediate danger to the event now comes from the sky, as both severe thunderstorms and “extreme” insect swarms threaten to disrupt Sunday’s fight.
A hulking superstructure is taking over the White House lawn for Sunday’s fight, coinciding with the president’s 80th birthday and marking the first-ever private sports event held there. Crews have finished installing a 92-foot-tall “Claw” above the octagon-shaped stage for UFC’s Freedom 250, surrounded by arena-style seating and plastered with brand names and company logos, including Polymarket and Bud Light.
The event — in tandem with a White House-backed celebration of the nation’s 25th anniversary — will hold more than 4,000 people, and a nearby park is expected to hold more than 120,000 visitors for a watch party.
A federal lawsuit threatened to derail the event before it started. The last-minute lawsuit accused the administration of giving the UFC “unfettered access” to turn public landmarks into profitable billboards.
UFC committed $60 million to the event, according to court filings. The event is expected to draw multi-million dollar sponsorships as well as revenue through a broadcast agreement with Paramount +, a streaming platform operated by Trump allies.
White House officials say the UFC is covering costs for the unprecedented production, but several federal agencies have “allocated significant resources and manpower,” officials say.
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FBI Director Kash Patel joins in on birthday greetings
In a brief post, Patel thanked Trump for his leadership and explicitly emphasized the president’s support for the bureau.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin extends birthday wishes to President Trump
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin joined other cabinet members in marking the president’s 80th birthday on Sunday.
“It’s the honor of my lifetime to serve in your cabinet,” Mullin wrote.
Secretary of War releases tribute video for President Trump's birthday
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted a short video tribute dedicated to the president on Sunday morning.
The clip opens with footage of Trump greeting members of the military.
“We could not have a better commander-in-chief than him,” Hegseth says. “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve under you.”
Trump set to travel to Europe after his UFC event
After the UFC event at the White House on Sunday — which is Trump’s 80th birthday — the president is set to travel to France for the G7 Summit.
The Republican president is expected to meet with a number of foreign leaders during the multi-day trip. The Iran war, which Trump says will be soon be ended, will likely feature heavily in bilateral discussions.
The president will also have dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, U.S. officials said.
Fans gathered near the White House ahead of Sunday's UFC event
Throngs of fans gathered on the Ellipse near the White House on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s UFC event, some of them posing inside of an octagon, photos show.
UFC Freedom 250: Start time, card and how to watch White House fights this weekend
This week, the UFC will host an unprecedented event at the White House, putting on a series of fights to celebrate 250 years of the United States.
The UFC’s cage is being constructed on the South Lawn, where seven fights will take place – on the 80th birthday of US president Donald Trump, coincidentally.
Trump is a close friend of UFC president and CEO Dana White, who promised the greatest card in MMA history. And although fans have expressed disappointment in the actual quality of the bout list, it is still a strong collection of contests.
Alex Pattle reports…
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One fighter set to take part in White House event described it as a distraction
One of the UFC fighters set to take part in Sunday’s White House spectacle described the event as a good distraction.
“The country needs something like this. We can distract the American people from all that’s going on,” Derrick Lewis, a 41-year-old heavyweight who will face off against Josh Hokit, told The Wall Street Journal.
“I’m happy to be part of American history,” Lewis added. “This is one of the events they’ll be talking about 100 years from now.”
Want to attend the White House’s UFC fight? Better have $1 million lying around
A seven-figure sponsorship package is reportedly the best way to guarantee you get a seat at the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout at the White House.
Reports suggest such packages can cost up to $1.5 million, and are considered a kind of de facto political contribution in support of the president.
“The Trump fundraising team is raising money for it,” a Republican lobbyist told NBC News. “It’s basically been added to the list of approved entities to give undisclosed money to and get credit with Trump.”
Josh Marcus reports…
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Few Americans believe Trump's cage match is appropriate: survey
Only a small share of Americans are on board with President Trump’s UFC cage match set to be held on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, according to new polling.
Just 16 percent of Americans believe it’s appropriate for the president to host the fights outside the executive mansion, while 46 percent believe it’s inappropriate, a Reuters survey released on June 11 found. Among Republicans, 31 percent approve of the event.
Ahead of UFC fight, Trump official highlights Teddy Roosevelt's affinity for combat sports
Ahead of Sunday’s UFC extravaganza, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum highlighted another president with an affinity for combat sports: Theodore Roosevelt.
“Theodore Roosevelt often boxed and wrestled inside the White House, once suffering a permanent eye injury during a sparring match,” Burgum wrote on X. “He carried that same toughness into conservation, as he fought to preserve federal lands for the benefit and use of all Americans.”