White House to host UFC fights for first time on Trump's 80th birthday

In an unprecedented event, the White House is set to host mixed martial arts bouts on Sunday, marking a confluence of the nation's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. UFC Freedom 250 will unfold on the South Lawn, featuring a main card fight for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

The event, which begins with earlier fights at 5 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET, is expected to draw a large crowd, including members of the military. Fans will also be able to watch from the nearby Ellipse. The South Lawn has been transformed with elaborate rigging, described as the "Claw," towering over 92 feet and enclosing the UFC Octagon.

President Trump, a longtime friend of UFC executive Dana White, has reportedly sought to bring the fights to his presidential residence for nearly a year. This event is the first of several planned to commemorate the country's 250th birthday, with other celebrations including a state fair and a grand prix.

However, the event faced legal challenges. Two Virginians sued, arguing that UFC was granted improper access for a private, for-profit event. A judge dismissed the lawsuit on Friday, siding with the Justice Department's argument that the plaintiffs filed their case too late and failed to prove harm. The Justice Department contended that the plaintiffs were seeking to impose their preferences and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States.

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It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend. Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America.