An octagonal UFC fighting cage is being built on the White House South Lawn, set to host a mixed martial arts event marking the nation's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
Set for June 14, the event-called UFC Freedom 250-will feature a red, white, and blue stage under a towering arch with stars-and-stripes patterns and two large screens broadcasting the action live. Thousands of temporary seats will surround the cage, including ringside space for a marching band.
Trump said the event will create a "5,000-seat arena right outside the front door of the White House." Additional screens at the nearby Ellipse will bring total capacity up to 85,000 free tickets.
The fight card has drawn criticism from fans as underwhelming, with only two championship bouts: Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, and Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the lightweight unification.
The cage is the latest in a series of White House renovation projects under Trump, including a Mar-a-Lago-style patio, a Presidential Walk of Fame, a new ballroom in the East Wing, and a proposed 76-meter arch at the Lincoln Memorial.