A monumental effort, costing over $60 million and involving seven federal agencies, has transformed the White House’s South Lawn for a UFC fight this weekend, though its fate hangs in the balance due to a federal lawsuit.
Preparations for the event, part of America’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, have consumed tens of thousands of hours of labor and more than $60 million in funding, according to a legal filing.
Hundreds of staff have worked daily, with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration dedicating significant resources.
The eight-sided “octagon” cage, central to the constructed arena, will host seven mixed martial arts matches on Sunday.
It’s designed for 4,000 spectators, with 120,000 more expected at the nearby Ellipse. Installation began May 20, requiring the Secret Service to screen 20-30 equipment trucks and 700-900 staff daily.
The weekend kicks off Saturday with a ceremonial weigh-in at the Ellipse and a Zac Brown Band concert. A “UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest” will offer interactive experiences and celebrity appearances.
Following Sunday’s bouts, President Donald Trump is scheduled to fly to France for the G7 summit. Disassembly is slated for completion by June 23.
Fourteen athletes are set to compete, undergoing rigorous preparations in the final week, including intense weight cutting, dietary changes, fasting, extreme sauna use, and hot Epsom salt baths, aiming to shed up to 20 pounds.
The entire spectacle faces potential cancellation from a lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of two Virginia residents.
It alleges President Trump’s authorization violates National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands.
Attorney Brendan Ballou called it a “corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain.”
The National Park Service, in its court rebuff, detailed the extensive preparations, stating, “All these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else.”
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