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It’s either an abomination or a perfect encapsulation of the American spirit, depending who you ask. Perhaps, some might argue, it is both.
Tensions are high as the Trump administration sets up a cage fight under a 28-metre tall, 600-tonne steel “claw” on the White House lawn, a $60-million US spectacle to mark both Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The 4,000-plus seating at UFC Freedom 250 is restricted to politicians, celebrities, high-paying sponsors and members of the military — but only those who fit certain physical specifications and aren’t busy fighting the U.S. and Israel’s war in Iran.
If this is your cup of tea (or your can of Monster energy drink), you can watch the fights on TV. Provided, of course, you pay for Paramount+, a subscription service owned by longtime Trump allies Larry and David Ellison.
It’s already projected to be the most-watched event in the history of mixed martial arts, and people are all riled up.
UFC supporters have expressed concerns about the potential for extreme heat, bugs and rain at an outdoor event, while two Virginia residents have filed a lawsuit to stop it altogether.
It’s got a $60-million budget, 4,000 guests, 500 porta-potties and seven fights on the main card. But UFC Freedom 250 is not your typical by-the-numbers mixed martial arts fight. For starters, the event is taking place on the grounds of the White House as part of a parade of celebrations for America’s 250th birthday. And despite an ongoing lawsuit to stop the event, the fights are still scheduled to carry on.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, meanwhile, said it will be “one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.”
Here’s what you need to know before the fights start Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
The fight card
The main event is the lightweight title bout, where American interim title holder Justin Gaethje — a fan favourite who has earned the nickname “The Highlight” — will take on Georgia’s undefeated Ilia Topuria.
Among the six other fights, Brazil’s Alex Pereira will face France’s Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight interim title bout, while Quebec’s Aiemann Zahabi — the only Canadian on the card — will take on American Sean O’Malley, the fighter most easily identified by his hairstyles, in the bantamweight bout.
Why is this happening?
Trump, a UFC fan who also had a long history with World Wrestling Entertainment, publicly proposed a UFC fight at the White House in a July 4, 2025 speech, saying it would commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
His friend and supporter, UFC president Dana White, worked to turn that concept into a reality, but the date was changed from July 4 to June 14 – Trump’s birthday.
UFC’s parent company TKO says it’s footing the $60-million bill, including $700,000 US to restore the White House lawn once it’s over.
The octagon will feature prominent sponsor ads, however, for brands including Crypto.com, Monster and Bud Light.
TKO president Mark Shapiro said the event is about “earned media.”
“We see this once-in-a-lifetime stage as a strategic investment to drive subscriber acquisition at Paramount+, massive audience sampling for the UFC overall and Super Bowl-like earned media across the globe,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.
Trump’s financial filings show he bought between $15,000 and $50,000 US worth of stock in TKO while promoting the event, which has raised concerns that he stands to benefit personally.
In honour of the United States’ 250th anniversary and U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, a UFC event will take place on the White House lawn. Andrew Chang explains how the fight night came together, and the lawsuit that could pose a problem.
(Photo credits: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images)
Why are people mad?
Online critics have called the event trashy, embarrassing and tone deaf, particularly as the U.S. is at war and many Americans are struggling with affordability in light of spiking fuel prices.
Some have said UFC Freedom 250 is a distracting spectacle, comparing it to Roman gladiators fighting to entertain the emperor.
Two Virginia residents are trying to stop the event with a last-minute lawsuit, alleging UFC Freedom 250 violates National Park Service regulations prohibiting events on federal parklands and that there was no environmental review.
“This is fundamentally a private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain,” said Brendan Ballou, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.
Democrats have had a field day lambasting the event.
“Trump is building a golden ballroom and for his birthday party — arranging a UFC fight on the White House grounds — while you’re fighting to pay this month’s bills,” California Sen. Adam Schiff said on X. “Could he be more out of touch?”
What about the weather?
White has been opposed to outdoor fights ever since the UFC’s first open-air event in Abu Dhabi in 2010, after which he complained that the bouts were affected by heat, humidity and bugs.
Sunday’s forecast for Washington, D.C., is not ideal, with meteorologists projecting a balmy high of 31 C and a potential for rain.
Podcaster Joe Rogan, a fairweather Trump supporter who will work the fight as a commentator, has criticized the outdoor venue, raising concerns about fighter safety.
“I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” he said on his podcast last month.
“I just don’t think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment. It should be inside an air-conditioned arena.”
White told the podcast Boardroom Talks that nothing short of lightning will cancel Sunday’s fights.