The White House is the venue for this special MMA event, UFC Freedom 250, which is part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence and also US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
A huge, 92-foot steel arched structure nicknamed 'the claw’ has been erected on the South Lawn of the White House, hulking over a red, white, and blue Octagon. It will host some massive fights, sure to delight the invited crowd in attendance.
Below, you can read up about UFC Freedom 250 so you know all you need to ahead of all the MMA action.
UFC Freedom 250 key information
• Date: Sunday, June 14
• Start time: 20:00 ET / 17:00 PT / 01:00 BST
• Venue: The White House, Washington, D.C.
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
Full Fight Card
Main Event: Ilia Topuria (C) v Justin Gaethje (Lightweight Title)
Co-Main Event: Alex Pereira v Ciryl Gane (Interim Heavyweight title)
Sean O’Malley v Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
Derrick Lewis v Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
Mauricio Ruffy v Michael Chandler (Lightweight)
Bo Nickal v Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Diego Lopes v Steve Garcia (Featherweight)
The Legal and Political Controversy
The event has not been without its controversy. On the Friday before UFC 250 Freedom, a federal judge refused to stop the White House from staging it, after the Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit stating that the Trump administration had unlawfully organised a private sporting event on public property.
The challenge was denied because the plaintiffs failed to establish that they would suffer any irreparable harm or aesthetic injury as a result of the UFC event. He also dismissed it because the event had been public knowledge for well over a year and was only brought up so soon before the event.
There are also questions about how much Trump is benefiting personally from the event, as he owns between $15,000 and $50,000 worth of stock in TKO, the parent company of the UFC.
In all, with many internal problems happening in the US, people have called the event a distracting spectacle, ignoring the plight of many in the country.
FAQ Section
What date and time does UFC Freedom 250 start?
It starts on Sunday, June 14, at 20:00 ET / 17:00 PT / 01:00 BST
How can I watch the White House UFC fight on live stream?
In the UK, you can watch the fight on TNT Sports, which is accessible through HBO Max with a subscription.
Who is fighting on the UFC Freedom 250 main card?
The main event is a bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, with the co-main event being between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. Other notable names such as Sean O'Malley, Michael Chandler, and local favourite Bo Nickal will be competing, too.
What is "The Claw" structure at the White House?
‘The Claw’ is a 92-foot steel arched structure that arches over the Octagon on the South Lawn of the White House. It was specially built to host the event.
Why is the UFC hosting an event at the White House?
Trump has organised it to mark 250 years of American independence and also US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
Can the public buy tickets to attend the South Lawn fights?
No, the public cannot buy tickets as the event is invite-only. The public can apply for free tickets to watch the fights from the Ellipse Park, next to the White House.
What was the outcome of the lawsuit against UFC Freedom 250?
The lawsuit was dismissed as the judge ruled that the plaintiffs failed to establish how they would suffer any irreparable harm or aesthetic injury if the UFC fights were to take place. He also noted that the lawsuit was brought so late in the day, considering that the event had been public knowledge for well over a year.