WASHINGTON — After roughly a year of planning, more than $60 million spent in development costs, some legal drama, and plenty of political chatter, UFC is grappling its Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House into reality.
One of the most unique—but also potentially among the most divisive—sports events in modern history is rising mere feet away from the White House as UFC will stage a high-profile fight card Sunday night, headlined by a lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
The centerpiece of the spectacle is the stage set-up on the South Lawn—the 92-foot apparatus dubbed “The Claw” and overhanging the octagon where the fighters will compete. There, roughly 4,300 people, mostly military members, will have the most intimate view of the fight card, while another 85,000 are expected to watch from an adjacent viewing area at the White House ellipse.
“Whether you’re far right, far left, or right down the middle, you’re still an American, and there’s no way you don’t love this show,” said UFC president Dana White.
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