Massive 90-Foot ‘Claw’ To Alter White House Skyline for UFC Freedom Fight

Fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is reportedly taking intensive skydiving lessons with the Army’s elite Golden Knights in preparation for a grand entry when Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 is held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14.Mr. Cerrone, who fought UFC stars Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, and Justin Gaethje, before retiring in 2022, has turned skydiving into a post-career obsession, claiming more than 50 solo jumps.Now he is refining his aerial skills, training with the U.S. Army Parachute Team for a spectacular high-altitude grand entry onto the South Lawn to kick off festivities for America’s 250th birthday, a two-day event culminating on President Trump’s birthday, which falls on Flag Day, June 14th.Asked what is driving his high-flying ambition, Mr. Cerrone offered a characteristically blunt piece of fighter logic: “Parking’s gonna be a b–ch, so I’m coming in on a ‘chute.”Landing safely on the South Lawn will require precision. Mr. Cerrone will have to navigate a temporary steel infrastructure anchored by a soaring 90-foot-tall open air production rig known as “The Claw.”The massive arc will dominate the landscape, serving as the central lighting and broadcasting apparatus for the first-ever sanctioned mixed-martial arts card on White House grounds.Underneath “The Claw” will be a 5,000-seat arena where primarily military personnel and invited guests will be seated. Organizers estimate an additional 75,000 to 100,000 spectators will gather nearby at the Ellipse to watch the historic card for free on massive viewing screens.The UFC released photos Tuesday showing the early stages of construction on the temporary arena, including crews, and cranes. Additional photos showed plans for the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Feast at the Ellipse, including a main stage, tents, bleachers, food areas, and the large viewing screens.The Fan Fest is scheduled for June 13 and 14, highlighted by appearances by UFC and WWE fighters, ceremonial weigh-ins, and a concert by the Zac Brown Band. The two-day event will also include surprise meet-and-greet sessions for fans.“We’re going to be ticketing 85,000 people in the Ellipse, and the tickets are free,” UFC President Dana White confirmed recently. “We’ll announce how we’re going to be giving them away soon, but you should plan on going to Washington D.C., for this event.”Building the temporary UFC arena has added to a White House skyline already interrupted by two construction cranes for President Trump’s ballroom renovation on the east side of the White House. The two projects have forced Mr. Trump to cease traveling on Marine One to and from the South Lawn. He’ll instead rely on a motorcade to go back and forth to Joint Base Andrews where he boards Air Force One.The UFC fight underscores the close relationship between Mr. Trump and Mr. White. It is part of the administration’s year of celebrations, highlighting the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, and will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS, owned by Skydance Media and Trump allies, David and Larry Ellison. Mr. Gaethje of Safford, Arizona, will challenge Georgian-Spanish champion Ilia Topuria in the main event for the UFC lightweight title. Mr. Gaethje, who recently visited the White House, called his appearance on the card “an honor,” adding it was “wonderful to represent this country.”Mr. Gaethje is already developing his game plan for the fight. “Position is going to be the biggest factor in this fight,” he said recently. “I have to be stubborn with my position. I have to control space. I have to control his feet, and I really have to be diligent in my defense. I have to constantly be winning the angle battle and the distance battle.”Mr. Topuria also has compiled an impressive resume, knocking out Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. The main event will be preceded by champion and division leader bouts in six weight classes, including the interim heavyweight championship match between Brazil’s Alex Pereira and France’s Ciryl Gane.

Massive 90-Foot ‘Claw’ To Alter White House Skyline for UFC Freedom Fight

More from the New York Sun

Iran’s Supreme Leader Taunts Trump’s Pitch for Widening the Abraham Accords, Chanting ‘Death to America and Israel’

CBS Backs Off Crackdown on Clips of Stephen Colbert’s ‘Only in Monroe’ Appearance

Mamdani Debuts Sweeping, Costly Housing Plan — and Experts Are Skeptical

More from the New York Sun

Iran’s Supreme Leader Taunts Trump’s Pitch for Widening the Abraham Accords, Chanting ‘Death to America and Israel’

CBS Backs Off Crackdown on Clips of Stephen Colbert’s ‘Only in Monroe’ Appearance

Mamdani Debuts Sweeping, Costly Housing Plan — and Experts Are Skeptical

In Surprise Rebuke of Trump, South Carolina Senators Reject Redistricting, Preserving State’s Lone Blue District

Harvard Names Wife of Times Columnist Kristof, Whom Israel Accused of ‘Blood Libel,’ To Lead Its Board

Rapper Drake, in New Album, Calls To ‘Free’ Sam Bankman-Fried, but the Crypto Mogul’s Lane to Liberty Looks Bleak

In Sharp Reversal, Canada Donut Icon Tim Hortons Will Hire Locals To Fill Youth Employment Hole

An Abstract Artist Delights At Painting Within Her Comfort Zone