President Trump unveils UFC cage design for June 14 South Lawn fight
“That will never happen again,” President Donald Trump said as he unveiled a rendering of a temporary UFC cage being built on the White House lawn.
WASHINGTON — It looks like a roller coaster soaring over the White House.
However, this is not a theme park.
The centerpiece of the temporary Ultimate Fighting Championship Arena on the South Lawn of the White House is the towering 90-foot outdoor structure that construction crews installed on May 25, shaping it to dramatically stand out from most views of the building.
Below the arc is a 5,000-seat arena and octagonal cage where UFC fighters are scheduled to compete on June 14th. The spectacle promises to be “the biggest event ever held at the White House” by President Donald Trump. The event coincides with the president’s 80th birthday and Flag Day.
Major renovations to the White House began last week in preparation for the UFC fight. President Trump said an additional 75,000 to 100,000 spectators will be able to watch the UFC event for free on large screens off the White House Ellipse. Trump met with UFC CEO Dana White, a close ally, on May 5 to discuss his plans.
Two construction cranes have been set up for President Trump’s massive ballroom construction on the east side of the White House campus, adding a temporary UFC arena to the suddenly crowded White House skyline.
The UFC’s efforts forced President Trump to suspend travel to and from the South Lawn on Marine One and instead rely on a motorcade to travel to and from Joint Base Andrews, where the president flies Air Force One.
The UFC bout comes as part of a year in which the regime celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary. The UFC plans to cover the costs of hosting the tournament.
A mock-up of a UFC structure to be built at the White House was recently displayed in Lititz, Pennsylvania.
President Trump was joined at the White House on May 6 by UFC fighters Justin Gaethje and Ilya Topuria, who will compete in the headliner fight, as well as Alex Pereira and Cyril Gane, who will compete in one of the other seven bouts.
“These are real warriors,” President Trump said of UFC fighters. “When we talk about warriors, they are warriors.”
An avid sports fan, Trump often hosted boxing matches at his casino during his real estate days in the 1980s and 1990s, watching from ringside as the likes of Mike Tyson won their matches. In recent years, he has frequently participated in UFC fights, including one in Miami on April 11th.
X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.
