A professional sporting event was staged at the White House for the first time in US history, as Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday and the forthcoming semiquincentennial with a UFC fight night on the South Lawn. The spectacle, held beneath a giant steel canopy and featuring military flyovers, drew thousands of spectators and defied thunderstorm forecasts.
The event was marred when fighter Josh Hokit, after defeating Derrick Lewis, used his post-fight interview to repeat the false conspiracy claim that former first lady Michelle Obama is a man. The remark drew cheers from some in the crowd and bewilderment from others, lowering the level of discourse on a night that blended civic ceremony with political rally and pay-per-view entertainment.
Political tensions were evident throughout the evening, with chants of “U-S-A!” and taunts of “Canada is the 51st state” echoing the president’s annexation rhetoric. When American Sean O’Malley defeated Canadian Aiemann Zahabi, the crowd celebrated the first US victory over a foreign opponent. Trump donned a white “USA” hat cageside, and cabinet officials, Mark Zuckerberg, and other dignitaries attended.
The main event saw Justin Gaethje, a heavy underdog, rally from perilous moments to stop previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria in the fourth round and claim the undisputed lightweight championship. All seven bouts ended by knockout or technical knockout, a UFC first. Ciryl Gane also secured the interim heavyweight title with a win over Alex Pereira.
