The UFC appears to have borrowed the United States Postal Service’s unofficial motto after President and CEO Dana White dismissed concerns about the weather leading up to UFC Freedom 250, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House.
“Listen, no matter what happens, the show will go on Sunday. We’re going. We don’t care if it rains or snows,” White said. “I’m tired of hearing about the weather all the time.”
“We’re fighting on the White House lawn Sunday night,” White said, adding, “No matter what!”
The National Weather Service’s forecast for June 14 in Washington, D.C., calls for a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. ET, with the possibility of scattered showers and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
The event was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET, but the UFC announced that the start of the bout would be postponed to 9 p.m. ET.
The Weather Channel reported in a social media post that the event has a 60% chance of thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 54 mph.
“The venue’s massive 92-foot overhang keeps the Octagon dry, but one lightning strike within 8 miles will automatically freeze the entire event for 30 minutes,” the post reads.
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The White House dismissed concerns about severe weather during the event, slamming the Weather Channel’s post as a “clickbait headline” posted on social media by “friendless losers.”
“Rain or shine, come what may, we are celebrating our great nation,” the White House said.
In a social media post on the day of the event, the UFC said the gates to Fan Fest at the nearby Ellipse opened as scheduled, but noted that “inclement weather is expected in the area and participants should plan accordingly.”
The Secret Service has a weather forecast.
The U.S. Secret Service previously told USA TODAY that it has its usual contingency plans in place for what to do in the event of a storm or lightning strike near the arena while President Donald Trump is in attendance. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said meteorologists from both the U.S. government and the UFC will be on the scene.
“We also have the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Washington, D.C., who are working with us and our federal partners in real time,” Guglielmi said. “Our plans include weather considerations.”
Capital Weather said in a social media post that “damaging” wind gusts and hail were possible and “the possibility of isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.” Storms are most likely to occur between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
