Federal Judge Rejects Effort to Block UFC Event at White House

A federal judge has denied a request to block the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event planned for the White House this weekend. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta turned down the emergency relief sought by two Washington, D.C., residents, Susan Douglas and Paul Romano. They filed a lawsuit six days ago aiming to stop the event, arguing that it breached restrictions on events at the White House and that the ‘Claw’ structure built for the event was constructed unlawfully.

Judge Mehta stated that the plaintiffs did not show they would suffer harm from the event and were unlikely to demonstrate standing, the legal right to sue. The UFC event, called ‘UFC Freedom 250,’ will take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled for Sunday, marking President Trump’s 80th birthday as part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.

Construction for ‘UFC Freedom 250’ has been ongoing for three weeks, especially for the ‘Claw,’ a 92-foot-tall structure housing the Octagon. The occasion will feature seven fights on Sunday. Additionally, there are several smaller events starting Friday with a press conference and fighter face-offs at the Lincoln Memorial. Saturday’s schedule includes a weigh-in for 14 fighters and a performance by the Zac Brown Band during the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at the Ellipse.

The White House expects about 4,000 attendees for the fights on the South Lawn, with around 12,000 more spectators anticipated at the Ellipse. Paramount+, owned by Paramount Skydance, the parent company of CBS News, will broadcast the event.

In court filings, the White House elaborated on the extensive preparations for the weekend’s UFC event. Over 700 subcontractors were employed for construction efforts. Additionally, the White House and U.S. Secret Service cleared more than 2,000 individuals for participation in UFC Freedom 250 and its broadcast, according to Andrew Fischer, director for White House Management and Administration. The UFC and its affiliates have invested over $60 million preparing for this occasion.