For most of its history the White House South Lawn has hosted state dinners, ceremonies and official events. On Sunday it staged professional cage fights for the first time. A large steel structure covered the area while military aircraft flew overhead and thousands of spectators filled the grounds. The occasion marked President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. Weather forecasts had predicted storms, yet the event proceeded after a one-hour delay and no rain occurred. The main event ended after 1 a.m. Monday when Justin Gaethje defeated previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria by stoppage in the fourth round to win the undisputed lightweight title. Gaethje said the result reflected American resilience. The program included a combined flyover by military teams and a bomber pass. A recruitment message from the Department of War appeared during the broadcast. Chants of “U-S-A” were heard throughout the evening. Guests included technology executives and government officials. After one heavyweight bout, fighter Josh Hokit presented an item to the president and later stated in an interview that Michelle Obama is a man. The comment drew mixed reactions from the crowd. During another bout between an American and a Canadian fighter, spectators chanted about Canada becoming the 51st state. The American won by knockout in the second round. All seven fights on the card ended inside the distance, the first time this has occurred in UFC history. Other results included Ciryl Gane claiming an interim heavyweight title. Gaethje entered as an underdog but overcame early pressure to secure the victory.
