Inside the crowd drawn to Trump's unusual UFC fight night at the White House

AI Summary

An unusual UFC fight night took place outside the White House, attracting thousands of fans as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration and President Trump's 80th birthday. Fighters, including American Justin Gaethje and Georgian Ilia Topuria, prepared for a lightweight title bout in this unique sporting event.

One by one, the burly mixed martial arts fighters made their entrance past the solemn, hulking marble statue of America's 16th president and jogged down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to roars from thousands of fans drawn to the unusual sporting weekend marking the nation's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The news conference Friday night featured the fighters who are preparing to face off Sunday in the Octagon built outside the White House. Tracy Philbeck and his son Levi drove from Charlotte, North Carolina, with a group of friends to support their favorite fighter, American Justin Gaethje, in the upcoming lightweight title bout against Georgian Ilia Topuria.