Overview
- A large UFC mixed-martial-arts show took place on the White House South Lawn using a temporary octagonal arena nicknamed “The Claw” that was reported about 28 meters tall, weighed roughly 600 tons, and seated about 4,000 people with thousands more watching on nearby megascreens.
- UFC organizers ran the production, Dana White and Joe Rogan appeared at the event, and parts of the White House complex and Washington landmarks were used for fighter rooms and a public weigh-in.
- Organizers and sponsors paid at least $60 million for the build-out and staffing that began in late May and the event was streamed exclusively on Paramount+, a platform linked in reporting to media executive David Ellison.
- The Public Integrity Project filed a suit seeking to halt the show on corruption and ethics grounds but a judge denied the request shortly before the broadcast, allowing the event to proceed.
- President Trump used the occasion to assert he had struck an agreement with Iran and to threaten renewed military action if talks fail, comments that came as Russian strikes hit Kyiv and before his travel to the upcoming G7.