President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday on Sunday by announcing an initial agreement to end the war in Iran and hosting a UFC cage-fighting event on the South Lawn of the White House. The president declared that the U.S.
will end its blockade of Iran and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, though crucial details still need to be negotiated over the coming weeks. The UFC event, called "UFC Freedom 250," featured fighters entering the Octagon from the Oval Office, with Trump even ceding his workspace as part of the show.
Thousands of spectators crowded into a temporary arena under a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lights, sound equipment, and large screens. The event was attended by top administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The fights included a victory by American Justin Gaethje over Spanish-Georgian Ilia Topuria, and several fighters thanked Trump and God after their wins. One fighter, Josh Hokit, made an unfounded attack based on a right-wing conspiracy theory about former first lady Michelle Obama.
The event was seen as a diversion from ongoing issues such as high gas prices due to the Iran war and falling approval ratings. The National Park Service said the event cost over $60 million and involved tens of thousands of hours of labor from seven government agencies.
The UFC also announced a partnership with World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company co-owned by the Trump family, creating a $250,000 athlete bonus pool. This further blurs the lines between the Trump family's financial interests and the use of government resources.
The weekend also saw crews removing Trump's name from the Kennedy Center after a court ruling, and UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland was escorted out of the Ellipse by law enforcement.