A High-Stakes, High-Tech Spectacle for the 250th Anniversary of the US

The White House is set to host its first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event next year as part of the 4 July celebrations in the US to mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The high-stakes, high-tech spectacle was announced by UFC boss Dana White, whose friendship with the president dates back to the early 2000s when Trump hosted some of the first-ever UFC events at his business properties.

According to White, the event was confirmed after a meeting with the president and his daughter Ivanka, who will reportedly be involved in the planning process. “It is definitely going to happen,” White told CBS Mornings. “When he called me and asked me to do it, he said: ‘I want Ivanka in the middle of this,’” White said of his discussions with Trump.

The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of people, a significant departure from the usual small gatherings at the White House. Trump had previously hinted at hosting a fight at the White House during an event in Iowa last month, suggesting that the event could host up to 25,000 people. The UFC has a reputation for drawing massive crowds, with its events typically held in large arenas and featuring a trademarked eight-sided octagon cage in the middle.

The plans for the fight come as part of a broader effort by Trump to leave his mark on the White House. In his second term, he has made renovating the complex a priority, with a reported $200m (£151m) new ballroom in the East Wing, a redecorated Oval Office with gold decor, and the paving of the grass lawn in the Rose Garden. Trump has also announced plans to build two large flagpoles on the north and south lawns, and has been known to make changes to the White House’s interior and exterior design.

The UFC fight is also seen as a strategic move by Trump, who has recently approved a heavily scrutinised merger between Skydance and Paramount, which owns CBS. The merger included promises and commitments by the companies to the administration before it was approved. The UFC has also recently secured a seven-year, $7.7bn deal to stream its fights, a move that is expected to further boost its popularity.

The details of the event, including where it will be hosted, remain unclear. However, one thing is certain: the White House is set to host its first-ever UFC fight, a spectacle that promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. The event is expected to be a major spectacle, with the White House grounds potentially being converted into a large arena to accommodate the thousands of spectators.

According to sources, the event is expected to take place in the summer of 2024, with the exact date and location still to be confirmed. The UFC has already begun planning the event, with White stating that he has been working on the details of the fight since his meeting with Trump.

The White House has confirmed the event, with a spokesperson stating that the president is “excited” about the prospect of hosting a UFC fight at the White House. The event is expected to be a major coup for the UFC, which has been looking to expand its reach and popularity in the US.

As the details of the event continue to emerge, one thing is clear: the White House is set to host its first-ever UFC fight, a spectacle that promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience.