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It resembles a rollercoaster towering over the White House, but it's not what it seems.
The centerpiece of the UFC arena on the White House South Lawn took shape on May 25th, as construction crews erected an imposing 90-foot (approximately 27-meter) outdoor structure, dramatically silhouetted against the building.
Beneath the arch, a 5,000-seat arena and an octagon will host UFC fighters on June 14th – a spectacle President Donald Trump promised would be “the biggest event we’ve ever had at the White House.” The event coincides with the President's 80th birthday and Flag Day.
Construction for the massive transformation of the White House in preparation for the UFC event began last week. Trump stated that an additional 75,000 to 100,000 spectators would be able to watch the event for free on large screens positioned further away, in the Ellipse park. On May 5th, Trump met with UFC CEO Dana White, a close ally, to discuss the planning.
The extensive undertaking has forced Trump to temporarily suspend his helicopter travel to and from the South Lawn, instead relying on a motorcade to reach Joint Base Andrews, where the President boards Air Force One.
On May 6th, at the White House, Trump was joined by UFC fighters Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, who will face off in the main event, as well as Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, who are set to compete in one of the other seven bouts.
“These are real warriors,” Trump said of the UFC fighters. “When we talk about warriors, these are warriors.”
Trump frequently hosted boxing matches at his casinos during his real estate career in the 1980s and 90s, often sitting ringside as stars like Mike Tyson claimed their victories. In recent years, he has been a regular attendee at UFC events.
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