Joe Rogan Blasts 4,000-Seat White House UFC Fight as Outdoor Heat and War Risks Loom
Updated
Updated · Forbes · May 27
Joe Rogan Blasts 4,000-Seat White House UFC Fight as Outdoor Heat and War Risks Loom
6 articles · Updated · Forbes · May 27
Joe Rogan renewed his criticism of the June 14 White House UFC event, calling an outdoor fight "odd" and warning fighters could face heat, rain and bugs on the South Lawn.
An average 85-degree high in Washington on that date, with a record 98, underpinned his argument that fighters should compete only in controlled, air-conditioned venues; Rogan said organizers should "build a roof."
Construction on the arena began this week, and UFC says it will seat more than 4,000 on the South Lawn, with another 85,000 expected to watch on screens at the nearby Ellipse.
Rogan has also called the event a gimmick and a security nightmare during the Iran war, though he has said he will attend and is expected to call the fight.
Dana White has voiced similar worries about rain, lightning, heat and bugs but is pressing ahead, saying the "Freedom 250" card marks America’s 250th anniversary and should not be halted by world crises.
Can the UFC overcome D.C.'s weather and security hurdles to stage its most ambitious fight at the White House?
What precedent does a White House UFC fight set for the future use of America's most historic landmarks?