Trump’s White House UFC fight requires $60M and 7 federal agencies
A planned UFC event on the White House South Lawn, costing over $60 million funded by the UFC and affiliates, faces a federal lawsuit from two Virginia residents. According to a National Park Service legal filing, the event involves seven federal agencies and is part of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
How much is the White House UFC event costing?
The National Park Service reported in a Tuesday court filing that well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been spent on the preparations. The document specifies that the UFC and affiliated groups provided the funding.
Seven federal agencies have allocated significant resources and manpower to the project. These include the Federal Aviation Administration and Homeland Security, according to the filing.
What is the schedule for the UFC Freedom 250?
The weekend begins Saturday with a ceremonial weigh-in at the Ellipse and a concert by the Zac Brown Band. A UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest will run throughout the weekend, featuring live music, celebrity appearances, and athlete interviews.
Seven mixed martial arts bouts are scheduled for Sunday night. Following the matches, President Donald Trump is scheduled to fly to France for the G7 summit.
Installation began May 20, with the Secret Service screening between 20 and 30 equipment trucks and 700 to 900 staff daily. Disassembly is set to start Monday, with all installations expected to be removed by June 23.
Why is a lawsuit attempting to stop the fight?
The Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit Saturday on behalf of two Virginia residents. The suit argues that authorizing the event violates National Park Service regulations that prohibit sporting events on federal parklands.
Attorney Brendan Ballou described the event as a “corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain.”
The National Park Service rebuffed the request Tuesday. The agency stated that the event’s hopes “could be dashed at the very last moment” by the “whim of two people” who wish to spoil the proceedings.
How are the athletes preparing for the matches?
Fourteen athletes are competing in the event. Their training involves months of preparation, culminating in intense weight cutting during the final week.
To ensure fair competition between similarly weighted combatants, athletes may use fasting, extreme sauna sessions, and hot Epsom salt baths. This process can result in a weight loss of as many as 20 pounds before the official weigh-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is paying for the UFC event on the South Lawn? According to court documents, the funding of over $60 million comes from the UFC and its affiliated groups.
- How many people can attend the event? The arena on the South Lawn is expected to hold 4,000 spectators, while another 120,000 people are anticipated to watch from the Ellipse.
- On what legal grounds is the event being challenged? The lawsuit argues that the event violates National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands.
Do you believe sporting events should be permitted on federal parklands for national anniversaries?