The UFC is pushing ahead with its outdoor event on the White House South Lawn this Sunday, rolling out detailed contingency plans to deal with weather and logistics.
The show, arranged following an offer from President Donald Trump, is set for an 8 p.m. start to cut down on direct sunlight on the canvas. Trump, high-ranking officials and VIP guests are expected to be seated on the South Lawn, while a viewing party at the nearby Ellipse park is planned with over 80,000 fans expected to attend.
UFC Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari said construction for the event is in its final stages and emphasized the promotion’s weather strategy. “We are now at a period of time where weather can get fairly predictable,” Borsari said. “So I’m not checking weather apps, I’m getting reports from our meteorologist, who’s on sight, and now he’s at a point where he’s giving us hourly updates of what the weather looks like.”
To combat heat and the elements, the UFC has installed a custom cover for the canvas and a 100-foot canopy. “We have a custom cover for the canvas, so that’s going to protect us from any increased heat,” Borsari said, adding, “We’ll keep it covered, we’ll keep it cool, there also is a canopy overhead… that also provides a lot of shade and reduces the heat quite a bit.”
Borsari said they plan to continue the event in light to moderate rain without lightning, with contingency plans to remain on air and broadcast from a nearby location if severe weather forces a pause. “No, we never contemplated going indoors or in a different venue,” he said.
