NewsBeat
Trump UFC fight live: White House cage matches pushed back as storms threaten president’s birthday event
President Donald Trump’s UFC event at the White House has been delayed as the Washington, D.C., area braces for intense weather this evening.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for parts of Washington and the surrounding states until 11 p.m. local time, with forecasters warning of possible hail, wind gusts up to 70 mph and frequent lightning. The fights will now kick off at 9 p.m. local time, an hour later than expected, due to weather concerns, according to NBC News.
In response to reports of poor weather, the White House Rapid Response team declared the celebrations would continue “rain or shine.”
More than 4,000 people will gather in a massive arena on the White House’s South Lawn for tonight’s UFC event, which also falls on the president’s 80th birthday. Another 120,000 spectators are expected to attend a watch party at the Ellipse, a 52-acre park just south of the White House.
All 14 fighters successfully made weight Saturday during ceremonial weigh-ins at the Ellipse. Following their official morning weigh-ins, the athletes took the stage in front of thousands of fans.
Earlier this week, the Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the UFC event, which it called “deeply corrupt.” A federal judge declined to block the event in a ruling issued Friday.
In pictures: Top administration officials arrive at White House
Several Trump administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, have arrived at the White House for tonight’s UFC event.
Check out their entrances:
Katie Hawkinson14 June 2026 23:50
Schedule update: UFC fights to kick off hour later than expected
Tonight’s fights at the White House will now kick off at 9 p.m. local time, an hour later than expected, due to weather concerns, according to NBC News.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11 p.m. local time, with forecasters warning of possible hail, wind gusts up to 70 mph and frequent lightning.
Katie Hawkinson14 June 2026 23:34
In pictures: Protest forms near White House ahead of UFC event
Protesters have gathered near the White House to protest the Trump administration ahead of tonight’s UFC event.
Katie Hawkinson14 June 2026 23:18
Eric Trump jokes ‘UFC started early’ as he posts photo from White House
Eric Trump, the president’s second son, shared another post on X ahead of tonight’s UFC event at the White House
Katie Hawkinson14 June 2026 22:53
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for DC area
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the District of Columbia, parts of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, in effect until 11 p.m. EDT tonight.
Jasmine Fernández14 June 2026 22:25
Eric Trump shares view of White House UFC arena from the roof
With just hours to go before the event, Eric Trump took to X to share an exclusive, bird’s-eye view of the massive setup from the top of the White House.
Panning his camera across the South Lawn, his video captures the full scale of the towering UFC arena built for tonight’s matches.
“Alright guys, UFC starts in a couple hours, here’s what it looks like from the top of the White House,” he says in the clip. He also points out the construction site on the grounds, calling attention to the “cranes over there for construction of the brand new ballroom.”
Jasmine Fernández14 June 2026 21:53
Guests arrive at White House in full patriotic and UFC gear for fight night
The crowd has begun arriving at the White House for tonight’s UFC Freedom 250 card. Guests waiting in line to get onto the grounds are sporting everything from American flag overalls and MAGA gear to custom combat shirts blending UFC logos with America 250 themes.
As the anticipation builds outside the massive “Claw” arena, enthusiastic chants of “USA! USA!” are breaking out among attendees.
Jasmine Fernández14 June 2026 21:37
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. targets ‘Red 40’ in UFC post
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a photo of himself on X physically punching a UFC-style fighter digitally labeled “Red 40.”
Jasmine Fernández14 June 2026 21:19
Satellite images reveal massive UFC cage structure on the White House lawn
A newly released satellite image from Vantor Technologies captures the sheer scale of the “UFC Freedom 250” arena, code-named “The Claw,” sprawling across the South Lawn of the White House. The 92-foot-tall, 600-ton steel superstructure completely dominates the grounds, ready to host tonight’s historic card as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations — and the president’s 80th birthday.
The high-resolution overhead view also vividly captures the wider, ongoing transformation of the executive mansion. The imagery clearly shows the intense demolition site where the East Wing once stood, now completely cleared to make way for the construction of Trump’s massive new $400 million White House ballroom.
Jasmine Fernández14 June 2026 20:30
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