UMVA has learned that construction has officially begun on a highly anticipated mixed martial arts event at the White House, scheduled to take place in less than three weeks.
Workers started assembling a massive lighting structure for the temporary "claw" stage in Lititz, Pennsylvania, with social media posts in Washington, D.C., showcasing photos of the project throughout the day. The claw arena will eventually be set up on the White House South Lawn, where the event will host 5,000 attendees.
The event, slated for June 14, coincides with Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, promising to be an extravagant celebration. Last year, Trump marked his birthday with a grand military parade; this year, he's pulling out all the stops with the UFC fight.
Reserved seats are allocated for military members and special guests invited by the UFC and the White House, with no tickets available for public sale. However, up to 100,000 people can watch the event on large screens at the nearby Ellipse, making it a spectacle for the masses.
This high-profile event is part of the America 250 celebrations leading up to the semiquincentennial on July 4, warranting increased security on par with major events like the Super Bowl. The stakes are high, with several top UFC stars participating, including a lightweight title bout and a heavyweight interim title match.
New renderings of the event reveal the White House as the stunning backdrop for the arena. UFC President and CEO Dana White, a close friend of Trump, played a pivotal role in organizing the event, describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never happen again."
