Photo: KENT NISHIMURA / AFP / Getty Images
Construction has started on a temporary arena at the White House's South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250, a unique event set for June 14. The arena, which will seat about 5,000 guests, is being built to host the fight card, with the White House as a backdrop. The event coincides with Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
According to USA Today, the arena will host a mix of military members and guests invited by the UFC and the White House. Meanwhile, around 100,000 fans are expected to gather at The Ellipse to watch the event on big screens. The UFC and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, are funding the project, with costs expected to exceed $60 million. They anticipate $30 million in corporate sponsorships to help offset the losses. However, taxpayers will cover the significant security expenses coordinated by the Secret Service and local law enforcement.
The main event features Georgian-Spanish lightweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje from Safford, Arizona. In the co-main event, Brazil's Alex Pereira faces France's Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. Additionally, Sean O'Malley will take on Canada's Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout. Weigh-ins are scheduled at the Lincoln Memorial.
UFC CEO Dana White, a close friend of President Trump, has emphasized the significance of this event. White has supported Trump in past political campaigns and has attended several UFC fights with him.