Yesterday (May 18), the UFC started promoting their upcoming White House event.
For anyone who’s just awakening from a ten+ year coma… well, we’ve got A LOT to talk about. Donald Trump is the President of the United States. We could spend a year just catching you up on that, but assuming you already knew Trump was a xenophobic narcissist with no moral compass, you don’t really need the details — it’s gone about how you’d have expected.
Case in point, shortly after winning the office for a second time,
Trump set about remodeling the White House (and really all of Washington, D.C.) while talking about the UFC event he wanted to host there. The mixed martial arts promotion and its public face Dana White never distanced itself from Trump despite his controversial first term and chaotic, many would say illegal path back to the Office, so he wanted to return the favor by hosting some combat at what was sometimes referred to as “The People’s House” prior to its Amazon and Meta-funded Trump-ization.
Determined to continue currying favor with the mercurial President and his Administration, UFC and WWE parent company TKO offered to put on the White House event at a loss. The failed to lock down any of the sport’s biggest names for the event (something they’re still spin doctoring), but it’s happening anyway. UFC Freedom 250 will come our way from the South Lawn of the White House on Sun., June 14.
They probably would have done so anyway, but in lieu of names like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey, TKO is bringing in others from the MMA world, celebrities, musical acts, and talent from their pro wrestling brand in for a Fan Fest on the days leading up to the fights.
When Fan Fest was announced for The Ellipse, a park just outside the White House, materials didn’t specify which “WWE Superstars” would be available for meet and greets. But last night on Raw, Michael Cole said the following stars would be at Freedom 250 Fan Fest:
- Charlotte Flair
- The Miz
- Trick Williams
- Chelsea Green
- The Usos
- Tiffany Stratton
- Bron Breakker
Not sure I’d read too much into that list of names. Only a few would have the backstage power to avoid this assignment if they didn’t want it, and none are likely to be looking to damage their relationship with TKO in any way. But many are going to judge, and many will understand why.
An upside to this is that, unlike WrestleMania meet and greets, you can get into Freedom 250 Fan Fest free. You will have to request tickets and win a random drawing to get in, though.
Thoughts?
