NewsUS NewsDonald TrumpUFC Freedom 250 is taking place at the White House South Lawn and there are concerns over a lightning storm as attendees have been warned to 'be prepared to leave and take shelter'.01:52, 15 Jun 2026Anxiety is mounting ahead of UFC Freedom 250 as forecasters predict a lightning storm will strike Washington DC - potentially forcing fans and fighters to seek refuge during the event.‌In a first for the UFC, the spectacle will unfold outdoors, leaving participants vulnerable to whatever weather conditions arise.‌Donald Trump is staging the UFC extravaganza to mark his 80th birthday and America's 250th anniversary with an extraordinary White House occasion: a UFC showcase comprising seven bouts inside an eight-sided, wire-mesh cage on the White House South Lawn.‌The UFC announced on X: "The gates for UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest are open as scheduled. We anticipate inclement weather in the area, so attendees should plan accordingly."We will share information when available."‌Associated Press reports that storm clouds are gathering ominously, though substantial rainfall has yet to materialise at the Ellipse, where a live band continued entertaining spectators as the broadcast's 8pm kick-off time approached.Previously, a notification flashed across the video screens cautioning about potential adverse weather and advising the audience to be ready to evacuate and find shelter.Donald Trump has now taken his place on the White House steps in front of the Octagon as the anthem of the United States.‌Trump and UFC boss Dana White waived to the crowd amid a sea of American flags and spectators chanting “USA, USA, USA”.Meanwhile, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland was escorted out of the Ellipse event by a group of police officers and taken into a Park Police van.Once a vocal supporter of Trump, Strickland has recently said on social media that he was not invited to participate in the event at the White House because he is an outspoken critic of Israel.Article continues belowStrickland was wearing a black anorak jacket and was barefoot. It wasn’t immediately clear why law enforcement led him away.UFC CEO Dana White has rejected Strickland’s accusation that he was banned from UFC Freedom 250 events. “Nobody is banned. Nothing is banned,” White told reporters earlier this month.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌UFCDonald Trump