Washington, D.C., is gearing up for the first-ever UFC fight at the White House this weekend as the Trump administration marks the country’s 250th birthday with a landmark cage match.

Festivities centered on the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the White House’s South Lawn will launch Friday evening and cap off Sunday night with a lightweight championship bout featuring Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria. The event, held at a specially constructed outdoor venue known as “the Claw,” is among many that the Trump administration and outside organizations are putting on to mark the U.S. semiquincentennial. The weather, a critical element for the outdoor venue, is looking favorable thus far, with sunny conditions and only a minor chance of rain predicted.

Trump is incorporating the athletic sphere into efforts to mark the United States’s 250th birthday throughout 2026. Aside from the UFC fight, Americans have the rare opportunity to attend a free IndyCar race on the National Mall in August and participate in the “unprecedented” four-day “Patriot Games” high school competition in Washington, D.C., in the fall.