A federal judge has ruled the White House is allowed to stage a UFC show this weekend in an elaborate ring already built on the South Lawn to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary — on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled Friday that organizers can use the White House lawn as the venue for Sunday's planned UFC mixed martial arts event. The nonprofit Public Integrity Project had sued to challenge Trump's UFC Freedom 250 event. The White House calls the lawsuit baseless, saying the UFC event is no different from many other events hosted at public forums in the capital.
A massive UFC event is set to take over the White House's South Lawn. The temporary arena resembles a cross between a UFO and a claw game in a video arcade and features an eight-sided cage and a towering structure of lights, speakers and wiring called The Claw. The event celebrates President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The National Park Service is contesting a lawsuit to block the event, which costs more than $60 million. The fights are scheduled for Sunday night, with additional activities planned throughout the weekend. UFC chief Dana White insists the show will go on, rain or shine.
