Anxiety is growing as UFC Freedom 250 approaches, with predictions of a lightning storm hitting Washington DC. This could potentially lead to fans and fighters needing to find shelter during the event.
In a groundbreaking move for the UFC, the upcoming spectacle will take place outdoors, exposing participants to any weather conditions that may arise.
UFC President Donald Trump is hosting the event to celebrate his 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary with a unique White House affair: a UFC showcase featuring seven bouts inside an eight-sided cage on the White House South Lawn.
The UFC has confirmed that the gates for UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest are open as planned, despite the anticipated inclement weather in the area. Attendees are advised to prepare accordingly, with further updates to be shared when available.
Reports from the Associated Press indicate that storm clouds are gathering ominously, although significant rainfall has yet to occur at the Ellipse. A live band continued performing as the event’s 8 pm start time approached.
Prior to the event, screens displayed a warning about potential adverse weather conditions, advising the audience to be prepared for evacuation and seek shelter if necessary.
Donald Trump has now positioned himself on the White House steps in front of the Octagon as the U.S. national anthem plays. Trump and UFC President Dana White greeted the crowd amidst a sea of American flags and chants of “USA, USA, USA.”
Meanwhile, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland was escorted out of the Ellipse event by police officers and taken away in a Park Police van.
Despite being a former supporter of Trump, Strickland recently mentioned on social media that he was not invited to participate in the White House event due to his criticism of Israel. Clad in a black anorak jacket and barefoot, it remains unclear why law enforcement intervened.
UFC CEO Dana White refuted Strickland’s claim of being banned from UFC Freedom 250, stating, “Nobody is banned. Nothing is banned,” during a press briefing earlier this month.