WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 President Donald Trump turned 80 on Sunday and was set to celebrate with one of the more surreal spectacles in sports and even in the nation\u2019s capital: cage fighting on the White House lawn.<\/p>\n
Hours after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end the war<\/a> and open the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, offering relief to the global economy more than three months since fighting began, the White House \u2014 long known as the people\u2019s house and a symbol of American democracy \u2014 was set to open its backyard to stage a bruising UFC card on the South Lawn.<\/p>\n More than $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been poured into building the arena, according to a court filing from the National Park Service, which oversees the South Lawn. <\/p>\n UFC is staging seven fights<\/a> with all male fighters<\/a> under the Freedom 250 banner to celebrate Trump\u2019s 80th birthday<\/a> and the 250th anniversary<\/a> of the Declaration of Independence\u2019s signing.<\/p>\n The fight card<\/a> headlined by two title fights on Paramount+ is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Eastern. Weather permitting.<\/p>\n Strong thunderstorms and heavy lightning disrupted Friday\u2019s Lincoln Memorial promotional event, and the forecast for Sunday evening also looks menacing. <\/p>\n \u201cWe anticipate inclement weather in the area, so attendees should plan accordingly,\u201d the UFC posted on social media. \u201cWe will share additional information when available.\u201d<\/p>\n UFC CEO Dana White said the show will go on rain or shine.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the pinnacle of a 25-year relationship between White and Trump<\/a> that has yielded personal, political and financial dividends for both parties. White\u2019s first card as UFC president came in 2001 at an event held at Trump Taj Mahal.<\/p>\n Trump has attended four UFC cards as sitting president, walking to the cage amid rock music and patriotic chants from fans much like the fighters themselves. White introduced Trump at two Republican National Conventions. White also attended the White House Correspondents\u2019 Association dinner in April that was cut short by a shooting<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a card that has been panned by fans online as underwhelming, Alex Pereira of Brazil will meet Ciryl Gane<\/a> of France for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria<\/a> then takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje<\/a>, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC\u2019s 11 championship belts.<\/p>\n There are five other fights on the main card that include former title-fight participants Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis<\/a> and former 135-pound champion Sean O\u2019Malley<\/a>.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n