The President of the United States, Donald Trump, ordered the construction of a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighting ring in the garden of the White House, to celebrate his 80th birthday on June 14th.
AFP journalists observed on Tuesday (26) cranes lifting large metal arches for the event. “We’re going to have a great fight. It will never happen again, it never happened,” Trump said this month, during an event in the Oval Office, alongside four of the fighters who will participate in the event.
Trump showed an image of the UFC Octagon that will have the White House in the background. According to him, 4,500 people will be able to watch the event on site, and up to 100,000 on big screens installed around the government headquarters. The fight will take place outdoors and must involve strict security measures.
Trump is a fan of the UFC and has endeared himself to its fan base, made up mainly of young men, a crucial demographic in the 2024 presidential election.
The event was called UFC Freedom 250, a reference to the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American independence. It caused astonishment, both due to its cost and the fact that it was held on the historic lawn of the White House, where some of the most notable moments in American presidential history took place.
UFC’s parent company reported in February that organizing the fight would cost at least US$60 million (R$300 million), but that it expected to recoup around half of that amount through corporate sponsorships and other sources.
The White House said the UFC is covering all costs. “Taxpayer money is not being used,” reiterated one official.
