The date is set for the first ever cage match fights on the lawn of the White House.
In the coming weeks crews will be erecting the six-foot octagonal wire fence with 5,000 seats for the June 14 event that marks the 80th birthday of the president and is being included as a part of the 250th birthday of the nation. Eight large screens will be erected in a nearby park for fans to watch the fights.
UFC (Ultimate Fight Club) fighters employ a mixture of kickboxing, jiujitsu, wrestling and other martial arts in their MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. MMA fights are violent and popular with the younger male population.
MMA referee and commentator Big John McCarthy noted, “a lot of people don’t understand fighting and they think fighting is about anger. It’s not. If you’re angry when you fight, you’ll lose. Fighting is about technique and style, and understanding how to make your opponent make mistakes while you don’t.”
UFC head Dana White and the league pan on issuing 85,000 free tickets for the event. UFC fans who cannot attend the event live can watch on Paramount+.
Fight fans are criticizing the fight card for its lack of “star talent”. Two title fights have been scheduled with Brazilian fighter Alex Periera and French fighter Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight bout and Spanish-Georgian Ilia Toopuria and Justin Gaethje will fight for the lightweight title.
Speaking on the fights, White House communications director Steven Cheung said, “this will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.” Cheung was a spokesman for UFC prior to joining the White House staff.