Odds are, never again will a UFC fighter, or any athlete, walk out of the Oval Office, down the West Wing, and onto the Truman Balcony before entering their competitive arena. On June 14, weather did not fell the UFC’s highly anticipated, and debated, event at the White House, despite forecasts earlier in the day of thunder and lightning and perhaps an army of mosquitoes. In fact, fighters complimented the breeze in the cage.
With all the unique touches of UFC Freedom 250, a seven-fight card born out of longstanding bromance between Donald Trump and UFC president and CEO Dana White, the UFC declared victory. The bouts themselves were bloody–they all ended in knockouts or TKOs. First responders and military heroes accompanied the fighters to the cage. The United States Marine Band showed off its talent: White might want to call in a favor to Trump, and borrow these musicians at future fights.
On the broadcast, the White House backdrop and the lighting and the fireworks all played well. Heavyweight Josh Hokit’s insult of Michelle Obama, aired worldwide and in front of the President, sitting cageside, after his victory was a low point. Whitecondemned Hokit’s behavior later on. But in the main event, American Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria, who represents Georgia, in a four-round classic, capping off the evening on a high note. In his last couple of years in office, Trump might be tempted to make this an annual thing. But the UFC, which constructed a temporary 4,300-seat fight facility on the President’s lawn, is forecasting a $30 million loss on the event. White was adamant: this was it. A one-time night. Photographer Robert LeBlance was cageside to capture the scene.
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