Massive UFC arena emerges outside White House as Trump’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project set to create history

Workers were seen assembling a gigantic outdoor fighting stage decorated with patriotic American flag graphics stretching over its enormous arches. The setup for the upcoming spectacle features 'the claw,' a massive lighting and cover structure built in Europe and shipped to the United States specifically for UFC Freedom 250. The image also showed a raised stage and seating area being constructed with views of the president’s mansion.

Organizers are spending around $60 million on the project. When asked if the money would come from taxpayers, the White House confirmed on X that UFC would pay for it. UFC CEO Dana White said the promotion would cover the entire cost of the event, telling Sports Business Journal in January, 'We’re eating the whole thing,' while noting that the massive lighting setup was among the biggest expenses.

Under the gigantic arena that will include the caged octagon, 4,300 people will watch the event on the South Lawn, most of whom will be members of the military, while 85,000 tickets will be available for free to the public to watch the event at nearby Ellipse Park. According to reports, the Defense Department is requiring members of the military to meet a certain body type criterion to attend the UFC event. A memo issued to military personnel this week states that tickets to the South Lawn fight will be reserved for service members who maintain a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55 and meet all required fitness benchmarks.

The main event of UFC Freedom 250 will feature a clash between lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje. Earlier this month at the White House, Topuria thanked Trump for the 'opportunity to build the biggest event in sports history.' The fighter said, 'It’s truly an honor. It’s awesome. It’s your birthday. Awesome. It’s Flag Day. Wonderful to represent this country.'

Previously giving a tour of the construction, the President praised the event, saying, 'You’ll never see it again. It’s never happened before.' He continued, 'The best fighters in the world are all coming. They all say, ‘We want to fight at the White House!’ Dana [White] is an amazing man. This would be the highest-rated event, maybe one of them, ever in sports.'