UFC is preparing for its historic fight at the White House, constructing a giant stage dubbed “The Claw.”
The dome structure is being built in Pennsylvania, where operational sound and lighting tests are being conducted ahead of the Freedom 250 fight scheduled for June 14. Residents in Lititz are in awe of the soaring octagon stage being built in their small town, which lies west of Philadelphia.
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“It looks like something out of a movie at first,” Jason Burkholder told WGAL 8.
“For a you know, quote unquote smaller town or community like Lititz to have that kind of construction or a company that has that reputation that’s providing venues for national and international acts, I think is pretty impressive,” John and Karen Karwoski added.
UFC CEO Dana White highlighted “The Claw” on his Instagram account, saying the structure is “getting there.” UFC is financing the Freedom 250 event and is expected to spend around $60 million to hold the fight in Washington, D.C., at a steep loss for the organization.
UFC is also constructing a 4,500-seat venue ahead of the mixed martial arts cage match on the White House’s South Lawn. While the main venue is at the White House, tens of thousands will be able to watch the fight from large screens set up on the Ellipse, an open area near the White House often used for large gatherings. Organizers will hand out 85,000 free tickets to the public, White said.
The event is the first of its kind and comes as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday throughout 2026. The president is attending the event, which will feature security on par with the Super Bowl.
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In addition to helping head the martial arts event, Freedom 250 is sending a fleet of mobile museums highlighting U.S. history throughout the country, among other initiatives marking the semiquincentennial. One of the “Freedom Trucks” was set up this week on the National Mall in D.C.
The truck featured an AI-powered, interactive portrait of George Washington, a digital signing experience of the Declaration of Independence, and exhibits focused on the nation’s founding principles and milestones.
