WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump hosted a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday to mark his 80th birthday, featuring multiple cage fights in a specially constructed arena, officials and organizers said.
The event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, included seven bouts and coincided with Flag Day and preparations for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Trump walked from the White House with UFC President Dana White to open the program, which drew thousands of attendees and viewers on large screens nearby.
"This is going to be something like nobody has ever seen before," Trump said in remarks ahead of the event, according to footage and reports. The card featured a main event between American fighter Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.
A large temporary structure known as "The Claw," along with a full-scale octagon and seating for about 5,000 people, was erected on the South Lawn for the occasion. The gathering represented the first professional sporting event of its kind held on White House grounds.
White, a longtime Trump ally, collaborated with the administration on the event. Organizers described it as a celebration of American strength and a highlight of summer festivities leading into the nation's semiquincentennial.
Critics, including some opposition figures and advocacy groups, questioned the appropriateness of staging mixed martial arts fights on the historic grounds. Progressive organizations held counter-events elsewhere, such as a concert in New York, highlighting divisions over the format of national celebrations.
The White House and UFC emphasized security measures and coordination with multiple federal agencies for the event, which had an estimated cost exceeding $60 million. Details on exact attendance figures and any incidents remained limited in initial reports.
Trump, who turned 80 on Sunday, has attended numerous UFC events in recent years. The spectacle unfolded as his administration continues to navigate various domestic and international priorities.
As of Monday, the White House had not issued further statements on the event's outcomes or next steps in related anniversary programming. Organizers indicated the fights concluded as planned, with additional public celebrations expected in the coming weeks.
