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UFC Erects $60 Million 'Claw' on White House South Lawn for Sunday Fight Card

The administration has asked a court to deny emergency relief over the South Lawn use.

A massive lighting structure known as 'The Claw' was built over the fighting ring on the White House South Lawn
The structure -- dubbed "the claw" -- stands at 92 feet (28 meters), which is taller than the White House
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UFC offers some of the most violent programming in the US and draws millions of viewers on mainstream free-to-air television with fights between MMA experts like Ryan Hall (L)

Overview

  • The temporary arena known as “The Claw” was unveiled to media on Friday and organizers say the 600‑ton, flag‑draped structure cost about $60 million to build and will hold roughly 4,000 on‑lawn spectators with tens of thousands expected to watch on the Ellipse.
  • The event is scheduled for Sunday night as a multi‑fight UFC card that includes championship bouts and multiple contingency plans for weather and broadcast issues.
  • A lawsuit filed to block the event argues the South Lawn is improper for commercial use, and the White House has asked a judge to reject emergency relief while the legal challenge moves forward.
  • Federal agencies are providing medical care, law enforcement and security support and organizers reported that more than 1,000 workers per day were screened to erect the site on the Executive Residence grounds.
  • Critics across the political spectrum have called the spectacle tone‑deaf given current national pressures, and observers warn the event could set a precedent for private commercial productions on presidential grounds.