UFC fighters cage erected on White House lawn for US celebration event

A Temporary Octagon-Shaped Cage to be Erected on South Lawn of White House

Crews are currently constructing a temporary octagon-shaped cage on the South Lawn of the White House, which will host an upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout. The event is scheduled to take place on June 14 and marks the nation’s 250th anniversary as well as President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

The cage will be surrounded by a red, white, and blue stage under a towering arch featuring stars-and-stripes patterns and two large screens showing the action live. Thousands of temporary seats, including ringside space for a full marching band, are also planned to be installed around the cage.

This project is part of a series of events celebrating the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4, 1776. Other planned functions include an IndyCar race that will pass by the White House and the Great American State Fair taking place on the National Mall.

The UFC has announced plans to issue up to 85,000 free tickets to accommodate spectators at both locations. The event card features two championship fights, including Brazil’s Alex Pereira vs France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title and Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria vs interim champ Justin Gaethje.

The construction of the temporary cage is the latest project in a series of White House renovations led by President Trump. Other recent projects include tearing up part of the Rose Garden, affixing partisan plaques to the wall of the colonnade, and renovating various rooms within the White House complex.

Source: Al Jazeera