UFC fans revel in an unusual sporting weekend in DC as the Octagon beckons
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The UFC held a special mixed martial arts event at the Lincoln Memorial and outside the White House to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, drawing thousands of fans despite challenging weather conditions.
- The UFC invested $60 million in the weekend's festivities, which Trump promoted as “the greatest show on earth,” though the event faced legal challenges over the use of federal land, with a judge ultimately allowing it to proceed.
- MMA fans attending the event came from diverse backgrounds, including international visitors, and the sport’s fan base tends to skew male, nonwhite, and more likely Republican, though not all UFC fans support Trump.
- Female MMA fans and fighters are a minority but noted for their aggressive style, and many fans appreciated the connection to historical boxing traditions at the White House, referencing Teddy Roosevelt’s amateur boxing history.
- The UFC also engaged with the local community through events like a visit to a youth boxing gym, where fighters interacted with young athletes, highlighting the sport’s broader cultural impact beyond the main fights.