The UFC has given a sneak peek inside “the claw,” the imposing stage set up ahead of a historic fight this weekend on the White House South Lawn.
Stepping out of the White House press corridors, one is greeted with a massive, larger-than-life red, white, and blue “UFC FREEDOM 250” medallion fitting of a $60 million budgeted event.
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UFC Freedom 250 main venue, days before the event. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House is photographed Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
From whatever angle you look at the stage, you can see some semblance of Washington, D.C., whether it be the Washington Monument or the White House.
(Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
Members of the press gather in front of the UFC FREEDOM 250 medallion in front of the main venue. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
Members of the media tour the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
Members of the media view the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House is photographed Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
Members of the press gathering their take on the main venue for UFC Freedom 250, ahead of the fight on Sunday, June 14. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
Members of the media view the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
The Ellipse and the Washington Monument are seen in the background from arena on the South Lawn of the White House for the UFC Freedom 250 fights, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) -
From whatever angle you look at the stage, you can see some semblance of Washington, D.C., whether it be the Washington Monument or the White House. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
Construction still underway on Thursday, a few days before UFC Freedom 250 is set to take place on Sunday. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
Construction still underway on Thursday, a few days before UFC Freedom 250 is set to take place on Sunday. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner) -
The White House with the UFC Freedom 250 main venue behind it. (Judith Y. Kim/Washington Examiner)
The octagon is staged dead center in the 4,300-seat outdoor venue. It was built using four 92-foot “claws,” hovering about 22 feet taller than the White House, according to ESPN. They were adorned with white stars against blue up top, with red and white stripes toward the bottom. Each claw also held giant monitors that read “UFC FREEDOM 250,” though it was not made clear if the monitors would be showing the fight live on Sunday, which happens to be Trump’s 80th birthday.
The awnings were equipped with lighting, camera set-ups, and sound, though construction still appeared to be underway as of Thursday. The top of the venue barely covered the outskirt seating, and though it predominantly covered the Octagon and the immediate rows of seats surrounding it, it would hardly protect the match from bad weather.
But no matter where one sits, one can get a clear view of the fighting stage that is set to host the main event on Sunday. All the black chairs were alike in appearance and heavy cushioning, as many members of the press bounced themselves on them. The South Lawn green was also protected with a black, felt-like material, carpeting the whole arena.
THE OCTAGON ON THE SOUTH LAWN: TRUMP’S UFC FREEDOM 250 WHITE HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA
Lightweight MMA fighter Michael Chandler also made a brief appearance at the press preview, shaking hands and taking selfies with the press.
From whatever angle one looks at the stage, one can see some semblance of Washington, whether it be the Washington Monument or the White House.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FREEDOM 250 UFC FIGHT ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN
The global magnitude of President Donald Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event is undeniable — nearly every major language, from Portuguese to Japanese, could be heard during a press preview early Thursday morning. Barring bad weather, and disappointing bouts or matches, this historic event will likely be watched and remembered by many.
UFC Freedom 250 will be streaming live on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. Sunday.