Thousands of fans gathered on the White House Ellipse on Saturday for UFC Fan Fest 250, a festival celebrating all things Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event, which featured a motocross jumping exhibition and a performance by the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, was a preview of the mixed martial arts fights slated for Sunday evening on the South Lawn.

Event Details

Braving temperatures in the 90s, fans stood in long lines for meet and greets with UFC fighters and waited to climb into a replica of a UFC Octagon for pictures. The festivities come ahead of Sunday’s UFC fight, hosted by President Donald Trump as part of celebrations leading up to America’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with his 80th birthday.

Organizers have allotted about 85,000 tickets for the general public at the Ellipse watch party, in addition to around 4,300 people who will be on the South Lawn. Fans expressed their excitement about the event, with some traveling from as far as Toronto and upstate New York to attend.

Controversies Surrounding the Event

The UFC events have generated enthusiasm among supporters, but have also drawn criticism from some who question the use of the Lincoln Memorial as a backdrop for a for-profit cage fight. A lawsuit was filed last week seeking to block the UFC fight, but a judge rejected the bid on Friday.

Despite the controversies, fans remain excited about the event, with some hoping that it will be a unique and memorable experience. The weather forecast for Sunday, which includes a line of thunderstorms, may pose a challenge to the event, but organizers have stated that they will proceed with the fight unless there is lightning.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.