US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the United States by hosting a historic White House UFC event on the South Lawn.
The invite-only fight night marked the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence, drawing thousands of mixed martial arts fans and a host of political, sporting and entertainment figures.
The event was delayed by one hour due to concerns over thunderstorms before eventually getting underway on Saturday evening.
Gaethje defeats Topuria in main event
The headline bout saw American fighter Justin Gaethje defeat Spanish-Georgian champion Ilia Topuria to claim the lightweight title.
A total of 14 fighters competed throughout the evening, culminating in the championship contest.
Fighters began their walkouts inside the White House, passing through the Oval Office before entering the specially constructed arena on the South Lawn.
Brazilian fighter Diego Lopes, the first competitor to secure a victory on the White House lawn, described the experience as “incredible”.
Thousands attend landmark event
Organisers estimated that around 4,300 invited guests attended the event, while a further 85,000 fans gathered at a nearby fan zone.
Trump entered the arena alongside UFC President Dana White, a longtime ally of the US president. Military aircraft flew overhead during the opening ceremony, while the crowd later sang Happy Birthday to Trump.
Other attendees included FBI Director Kash Patel and British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, who attracted attention with a cap featuring a political slogan.
Massive production on South Lawn
The UFC reportedly spent approximately $60 million staging the event, including an estimated $700,000 earmarked for repairs to the White House lawn after the fights.
A major feature of the arena was “The Claw”, a towering metal structure standing 28 metres high and weighing around 600 tonnes, suspended above the Octagon.
Trump previously compared the structure to the Eiffel Tower due to its scale and visual impact.
Mixed reaction from Americans
The event was streamed exclusively through Paramount+.
While administration officials praised the spectacle, public opinion appeared more divided. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released before the event found that only 16% of Americans considered it appropriate to host a UFC event at the White House, while 46% viewed it as inappropriate.
A legal challenge seeking to block the event was rejected by a judge days before the fights took place. The lawsuit argued that the event raised ethical concerns due to Trump’s relationship with the UFC and Dana White.
Part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations
The White House UFC event formed part of a broader programme marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Additional celebrations are expected throughout the year, including an IndyCar race around the National Mall and a nationwide “Great American State Fair”.
The event underscored the growing mainstream popularity of mixed martial arts in the United States, with the UFC gaining unprecedented visibility by staging a championship card at one of the world’s most recognisable political landmarks.
Also read: US inflation rate hits three-year high, Trump “loves” it
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
