TheWhite Houseon Thursday previewed the huge fighting arena known as “The Claw” that will host an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout on President Trump’s 80th birthday.
Journalists including an AFP reporter were granted access for the first time to the 92-foot (28-metre) tall structure — taller than the White House itself — that workmen have been building for weeks on the historic South Lawn.
In the center is the so-called “Octagon”, the eight-sided cage where 14 UFC fighters will battle it out in front of Trump in the unprecedented event on Sunday night.
Firms including Bud Light beer and the Polymarket prediction market have their names emblazoned on the padding of the ring for the $60-million-dollar tournament.
Surrounding the Octagon are black padded seats for 4,500 guests, each with a sign on the back saying “Warning: Please do not stand on chair,” in case spectators get overexcited.
A huge red, white and blue sign saying “UFC Freedom 250” greets visitors and a similar logo appears on video screens attached to the side of the arena.
That’s a reminder that the event is meant to kick off celebrations for this year’s 250th anniversary of US independence — as well as the fact that the UFC says it is picking up the price tag.
From the back of the structure, journalists could see beer tents leading down to the South Lawn’s fountain, and portable toilets.
Behind that is a huge structure on the Ellipse, the grassy area just outside the grounds, where the White House says up to 125,000 people will be able to watch on free screens.
The day of the UFC fight is officially Flag Day in the United States — but it also happens to be the day that Trump, the oldest ever American president to take office, turns 80 years old.
Source: Insider Paper
