US President marks 80th birthday with cage fights at White House after Iran peace deal celebrations.
Image: Yahoo Sports
Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight championship in a UFC event held on the White House lawn.
The event took place as Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday and recent diplomatic progress with Iran.
Fighters entered a specially built cage arena after earlier appearing from inside the White House, where Trump had hosted discussions linked to a US-Iran peace agreement.
The event, branded as “UFC Freedom 250,” featured thousands of spectators and ended with fireworks, making it one of the most unusual celebrations in modern US political history.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump later entered the cage to congratulate the winner after the main fight.
The spectacle, organized in partnership with UFC leadership, drew both praise from supporters and criticism from opponents who called it inappropriate for the White House setting.
Some political commentators and guests raised concerns about the tone of the event, while others defended it as a reflection of American sports culture.
The event also highlighted Trump’s close ties with mixed martial arts and its popularity among his political supporters.
It comes at a time when debates continue over US politics, foreign policy developments, and Trump’s leadership style during high-profile global events.
