UFC is preparing for a planned June 14 event on the White House South Lawn, including bleachers and a large arch visible to tourists and TV cameras. The UFC released a rendering showing thousands of spectators around a fenced-in octagon. Dana White, head of the UFC and a friend of President Trump, expressed doubt about fighting outside, citing stadium dislike and concerns about rain and other variables. White accepted the task, framing the event as an honor tied to America’s 250th birthday. The UFC’s rise is linked to taking control in 2001, when MMA was disreputable and venues were hard to find. Trump invited the UFC to stage events at his Atlantic City casino, helping the organization grow into a multi-billion dollar business. Success is tied to fighters’ toughness and personal stories, not only physical violence.
"There's two things I hate. I hate stadiums, and even worse than a stadium is fighting outside. There's just so many variables rain and lightning bugs. White nonetheless took on the task of building a temporary outdoor stadium. We're celebrating America's 250th birthday on the lawn of the White House. And, you know, there possibly couldn't be a greater honor than that, especially for me as an American."
"The UFC also released a rendering of the event, showing several thousand spectators surrounding a fenced-in octagon, the UFC's trademark, where a series of men will face off. Though it's easier to visualize this week, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship has begun setting up bleachers and a giant arch for the planned event. The work is visible to tourists and TV cameras."
"People that are this tough come from some tough backgrounds. White said, adding that what makes a UFC fight successful is not only its physical ferocity but the story of the fighters. Who are you and where do you come from? That's what I sell every Saturday night."
"A sport linked for decades with Donald Trump White tells a story of assuming control of the UFC in 2001, when MMA fighting was so disreputable he couldn't find appropriate venues. Trump invited the UFC to stage events at his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City. White's UFC fought its way up to become a multi-billion dollar business by showcasing fighters who were also fighting their way up from the bottom."
Read at www.npr.org
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]