As part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, a UFC event is being staged at the White House. A large fight structure has been built on the South Lawn ahead of the event, which is scheduled for Sunday.
The event has been billed as UFC Freedom 250, and more than 4,300 people are expected to attend. According to the coverage, the date is doubly symbolic, as it marks both the country's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
The structure itself is striking in scale. It stands 92 feet tall, measures 154 feet wide and weighs about 600 tons, dominating a part of the grounds that is normally kept clear. The setup, described as The Claw, is designed to light up the octagon on the South Lawn.
Putting it in place has been an enormous undertaking. According to the coverage, it has cost the UFC about 60 million dollars, a figure that includes some 700,000 dollars just to fix up the grass, part of which has had to be covered up for the build.
Because the White House is not a typical sporting venue, there have been logistical challenges. There is no locker room on site, for example, so the fighters are to get ready in a nearby government building before heading out to the octagon.
The event has also attracted criticism. Just days ago, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Virginia residents seeking to stop the construction. It cites President Trump's ties to the UFC, financial interests linked to the sport, and a lack of proper approvals.
The White House has rejected those claims. Officials say that no taxpayer money is being used for the event, pushing back against the concerns raised in the legal challenge.
Barring any last-minute changes, the South Lawn is set to look very different once the lights come on and the fights begin. For now, the build continues while the dispute over the event plays out.