UFC Freedom 250 is the title of the anticipated, highly controversial Mixed Martial Arts event going to be held on the White House Lawn on June 14.
This event was spearheaded by UFC CEO Dana White and President Donald Trump as a way to celebrate the country’s 250-year anniversary and Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Despite Dana White claiming to have no political leanings, saying the event is simply for those who love fighting, his treatment of Trump speaks otherwise. He has consistently been close with President Trump, inviting him to events and allowing him his own walkout to the octagon, often accompanied by members of his cabinet, leading fans and citizens alike to believe the event is meant to promote Trump’s party rather than be a serious fighting event.
The event has not yet been sanctioned by the DC Athletic Commission, meaning none of these fights will count towards the fighters’ records, supporting the idea that the event is only for spectacle.
While the event is undoubtedly exciting for fight fans with great fights like Illia Topuria fighting against Justin Gaethje for the lightweight belt or Alex Pereira moving up in weight for the third time in the UFC to fight for the interim heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane, the idea of these fights being on the lawn of one of America’s most important and historic buildings leaves an unsettling feeling.
Still under the guise of celebration, the fact is that the UFC, a private organization whose primary purpose is to make money, is now allowed to use the White House as a venue to make even more money, which just feels wrong.
It feels like our country is selling out and that our President is allowing his friends to have special treatment.
Our country is hosting this event during the war with Iran, which adds a level of tension to the situation. While there is a war going on, our country is supporting the idea that we are combative by hosting literal fights to celebrate our president’s greatness.
The combination of bombing another country while celebrating our own in this hedonistic and brutal fashion likely means an even worse look in the eyes of foreign countries whose opinions of America are already on a steady decline.
As a fight fan myself, I look forward to seeing several of the fights, but I recognize that this feels like we are beginning to sell out rather than celebrate our country’s magnificent history.
