UFC President and CEO Dana White told TMZ that the UFC Freedom 250 will kick off with a Lightweight Championship between undefeated two-division champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) and the dangerous, fan-favorite interim champion Justin Gaethje on Sunday, June 14. It will be held on the South Lawn of the White House on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
White claimed that the fight will take place “no matter what” amid concerns of heavy rainfall on the very night.
Dana White addresses weather concerns surrounding UFC Freedom 250
White appeared unconcerned with meteorological forecasts that predict severe thunderstorms and rain in Washington, with a 65% to 90% chance of precipitation. He, however, seems to be challenging Mother Nature, saying that the only consideration for stoppage would be dangerous lightning, which will necessitate temporary cessation.
White was confident enough to laugh off the joke of a bee infestation, saying that it would not hamper the game. Despite White’s green light, UFC’s production crew, led by Craig Borsari, has meteorologists on-site delivering hourly weather reports to avoid any surprises on D-Day.
The massive venue features an 87-foot canopy over the cage to shield fighters from direct rain, though high humidity and wind could still heavily influence the lightweight title unification bout. UFC Freedom 250 is touching a milestone as the first professional sporting event ever held on the South Lawn of the White House.
The Freedom 250 celebration will run parallel to the official, bipartisan “America 250” celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The event has also had its share of controversies, with a wave of celebrities cancelling their musical acts for “The Great American State Fair” over concerns that the event was heavily politicised and divisive.
The thinning of the lineup had the president publicly lashing out at the abandoning artists.
ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FIGHT?
Originally reported by Sreemanti Sengupta on Reality Tea
