Trump hosts historic UFC event on White House South Lawn: Key details explained

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is officially heading to the White House today, becoming the first inaugural sporting event to be staged on the US presidential grounds.

According to reports, about 4,300 people are expected to attend the invite-only mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn. The spectacle coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday as part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.

The martial arts promotion company spent about $60m on the event which includes $700,000 to replace the sod on a lawn that hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll.

Administration officials. Trump praised the event as one of the ‘greatest shows on Earth featuring a total of 14 figures who will play back-to-back rounds, capping in the main event between Georgian Spanish lightweight Topuria and American Justin Gaethje.

A poll reportedly reveals that the majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s plan to host an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts event on the White House South Lawn this Sunday.

Only 16% of Americans held the view that it was appropriate for Trump to hold the Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled for his 80th birthday, while 46% said it was unsuitable and the rest remained impartial.

The weather today could cause major delays during the event on Sunday. According to predictions, it’s going to be a hot and humid day on Sunday in the nation’s capital, with high temperature peaking at around 91F.

Sporadic thundershowers will pop up through Sunday afternoon and into the evening, bringing heavy downpours and the risk of wind gusts surpassing 50mph.

It is pertinent to mention that Trump’s ties with the UFC date back to the early 2000s when he undertook to coordinate events at his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.