UFC Event on the White House Lawn
First Lady Melania Trump is set to join President Trump for a UFC fight on the South Lawn, accompanied by around 5,000 special guests. Among them are several of his adult children and press secretary Caroline Leavitt.
Recently married Don Jr. and his wife Bettina will be making their first public appearance since their wedding. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, along with Eric and Lara Trump, are also expected to be at ringside.
Leavitt, who is currently on maternity leave after welcoming her second child, will be attending the event with her husband, Nicholas Riccio.
This marks a somewhat rare appearance for the First Lady at such events. Although she has attended UFC matches before, she typically doesn’t join. Last April, during a fight in Miami, Ivanka was beside her father.
Interestingly, Sunday coincides with the president’s 80th birthday. As the family enjoys the ringside view, special seating arrangements, including rows of bleachers, have been set up around the octagon for invited guests, including military personnel.
Approximately 85,000 people are expected to gather at the National Mall to watch the fight on a large screen.
The White House has made significant preparations for the event. The entrance pillars have been painted, new landscaping has been added, and a large fight ring equipped with a lighting system and bleachers is under construction on the south lawn.
The event will take over the White House grounds, utilizing various areas for different activities.
According to Craig Borsari, an official with UFC, organizing this large-scale event involved numerous government agencies, including the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security.
The fight itself will happen on the South Lawn, with fighters preparing in temporary locker rooms at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Some renowned spaces within that building will also be utilized for these purposes.
Fighters will navigate the campus under the watch of Secret Service and UFC staff. The weigh-in is set to occur publicly at the Lincoln Memorial, although access is restricted right now due to ongoing construction.
A lineup of seven fights will take place, headlined by a lightweight title match between champion Ilya Topria and interim champion Justin Gaethje. The program will also feature a selection of international fighters.
A senior administration official mentioned that the fight card is impressive, showcasing several emerging talents alongside established champions.
The UFC is financing the event, with a total budget of $60 million allocated for the mobile arena, seating, food concessions, and guest restrooms. In case of adverse weather, contingency plans are already established. The UFC will also handle the cleanup, with repair costs for the South Lawn estimated between $700,000 and $1 million.
President Trump has hinted at keeping the ring even after the event, referencing the Eiffel Tower’s history as a temporary structure that became a permanent landmark. He remarked that they are constructing something visually appealing at the White House, suggesting it may remain long after the fight.
