UFC’s long-awaited Washington D.C. takeover has experienced some inclement weather over the past few days and it appears (for now) that Sunday night’s event from the White House South Lawn might encounter the same event-altering conditions.
As you know by now, this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 fight card is a pretty big deal. It is by far the most high-profile event in mixed martial arts (MMA) history and a huge opportunity for UFC and its fighters to compete LIVE on Paramount+ for over one billion viewers.
You can’t ask for much more than that.
All of that said, event planning has not been smooth. Not only has the promotion been accused of hosting the one-of-one fight card in order to flex its relationship with President Donald Trump, but things like federal lawsuits, pesky gnats, canceled musical performances, and construction of “The Claw” have taken up a lot of effort over the past few weeks. The funny thing is that those issues aren’t even the biggest concern for UFC officials heading into Sunday.
In reality, the weather is the greatest obstacle for UFC to hurdle at this time. The “Claw” is large enough to encompass the Octagon, but the event is still being held outside. If Sunday’s weather delivers rain, lightning, or even extreme humidity it could have a great impact on the fights themselves. While the weather is completely out of UFC’s control the promotion is still doing everything it can to plan ahead, including having a meteorologist onsite for real-time updates.
As of Saturday morning, it looks like the weather might present some issues for Sunday’s Freedom 250 card. Per the National Weather Service, Washington D.C. is expected to offer up a high of 91 degrees on Sunday with humidity making it feel like 100 degrees. In addition, UFC officials might have to battle the rain once more as thunderstorms are expected in the early afternoon, between 4-5 p.m. ET, the early evening, and then once again before midnight. Total chance of precipitation in the afternoon is 60% with that decreasing to 40% in the evening. Not to mention winds that can reach up to 22 mph.
Check it out below and let us know if the weather will hold for UFC’s White House mega-event!
Sunday afternoon:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93. South wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday night:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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