US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th and America’s 250th birthday with an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House lawn, the BBC reports.
The championship, the first ever professional sporting event held at the presidential residence, had been threatened by thunderstorms for much of the day – but went ahead despite initial delays.
It opened with Trump walking from the White House to the arena alongside his longstanding friend UFC chief Dana White. Military planes then flew overhead.
A total of 14 fighters competed in back-to-back fights, ending with the main card between Georgian-Spanish lightweight Ilia Topuria and American Justin Gaethje.
About 4,300 people were expected at the invite-only mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn, with another 85,000 expected at a nearby fan zone.
