UFC Builds White House Cage for June 14 Fight as 90,000 Fans Are Expected
Updated
Updated · CNN International · Jun 2
UFC Builds White House Cage for June 14 Fight as 90,000 Fans Are Expected
3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Jun 2
Summary
Construction crews are erecting the Octagon and UFC’s giant lighting rig, “The Claw,” on the White House South Lawn for the June 14 Freedom 250 event.
More than 90,000 people are expected across the South Lawn and Ellipse watch party, with 4,300 on the lawn itself and about 85,000 tickets allotted to the public nearby.
UFC says it will cover the roughly $60 million cost, including the Belgium-built lighting structure that was shipped via Philadelphia before being assembled in Washington.
The card features Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight belt, alongside fan events and a Zac Brown Band concert.
The outdoor spectacle, tied to America’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 80th birthday, has drawn criticism as a gimmick and raised security and weather concerns.