"I gotta thank President Trump for making this happen."
minute read
For the first time in American history, the White House transformed its South Lawn into a UFC fight venue as President Donald Trump hosted a championship card to help commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary.
Thousands gathered Sunday evening for UFC Freedom 250, a spectacle that combined mixed martial arts, military tributes, flyovers, fireworks, and patriotic celebrations. The event also coincided with Trump's 80th birthday.
Trump entered alongside UFC President Dana White, a longtime ally, as supporters applauded and shouted, "Happy birthday." The Zac Brown Band and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus performed the National Anthem while Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds roared overhead.
The main event featured American fighter Justin Gaethje facing undefeated Georgian-Spanish champion Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title. Gaethje emerged victorious after Topuria was unable to continue due to extensive facial injuries sustained during the fight.
Following his win, Gaethje carried an American flag into the Octagon and drew a parallel between his upset victory and the nation's founding.
Throughout the night, members of the military and other attendees repeatedly broke into chants of "USA! USA!" as American fighters entered the cage. Several competitors used their post-fight interviews to praise Trump and the unprecedented White House venue. After defeating Kyle Daukaus, Bo Nickal thanked the president directly. "I gotta thank President Trump for making this happen," Nickal said from inside the Octagon. Nickal later called Trump a "special person" for having "the balls to do something like this."
Josh Hokit, following his victory over Derrick Lewis, praised the president before making a controversial remark about former First Lady Michelle Obama. "Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put something like this on," Hokit said. He then added, "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?"
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was also spotted speaking with Trump during the event. The two posed for photographs alongside White and others during a break in the action.
The White House incorporated military and first responder recognition throughout the card. Medal of Honor recipients and first responders escorted fighters to the Octagon before each fight, highlighting the administration's emphasis on honoring service members during the semi-quincentennial celebration.
The event proceeded despite legal a challenge filed by two Virginia residents seeking to block the fights. The lawsuit argued the White House had improperly allowed a private sports promotion access to government property. A federal judge declined to halt the event. In defending the administration, the Justice Department argued the plaintiffs had waited too long to file their challenge. "It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend," government attorneys wrote. "Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America."
The White House grounds were dramatically altered for the occasion by the installation of UFC's massive "Claw" structure, which towered over the South Lawn and enclosed the Octagon. Additional guests included Polish President Karol Nawrocki, administration officials, military personnel, and Medal of Honor recipients. The evening concluded with Trump entering the Octagon to congratulate Gaethje as fireworks lit the sky above the White House.
Despite forecasts predicting severe weather, the celebration remained dry from start to finish.
Thousands gathered Sunday evening for UFC Freedom 250, a spectacle that combined mixed martial arts, military tributes, flyovers, fireworks, and patriotic celebrations. The event also coincided with Trump's 80th birthday.
Trump entered alongside UFC President Dana White, a longtime ally, as supporters applauded and shouted, "Happy birthday." The Zac Brown Band and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus performed the National Anthem while Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds roared overhead.
The main event featured American fighter Justin Gaethje facing undefeated Georgian-Spanish champion Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title. Gaethje emerged victorious after Topuria was unable to continue due to extensive facial injuries sustained during the fight.
Following his win, Gaethje carried an American flag into the Octagon and drew a parallel between his upset victory and the nation's founding.
Throughout the night, members of the military and other attendees repeatedly broke into chants of "USA! USA!" as American fighters entered the cage. Several competitors used their post-fight interviews to praise Trump and the unprecedented White House venue. After defeating Kyle Daukaus, Bo Nickal thanked the president directly. "I gotta thank President Trump for making this happen," Nickal said from inside the Octagon. Nickal later called Trump a "special person" for having "the balls to do something like this."
Josh Hokit, following his victory over Derrick Lewis, praised the president before making a controversial remark about former First Lady Michelle Obama. "Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put something like this on," Hokit said. He then added, "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?"
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was also spotted speaking with Trump during the event. The two posed for photographs alongside White and others during a break in the action.
The White House incorporated military and first responder recognition throughout the card. Medal of Honor recipients and first responders escorted fighters to the Octagon before each fight, highlighting the administration's emphasis on honoring service members during the semi-quincentennial celebration.
The event proceeded despite legal a challenge filed by two Virginia residents seeking to block the fights. The lawsuit argued the White House had improperly allowed a private sports promotion access to government property. A federal judge declined to halt the event. In defending the administration, the Justice Department argued the plaintiffs had waited too long to file their challenge. "It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend," government attorneys wrote. "Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America."
The White House grounds were dramatically altered for the occasion by the installation of UFC's massive "Claw" structure, which towered over the South Lawn and enclosed the Octagon. Additional guests included Polish President Karol Nawrocki, administration officials, military personnel, and Medal of Honor recipients. The evening concluded with Trump entering the Octagon to congratulate Gaethje as fireworks lit the sky above the White House.
Despite forecasts predicting severe weather, the celebration remained dry from start to finish.
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