Federal Judge Gives Green Light for UFC Event to Proceed at White House as Scheduled
A federal court in Washington, D.C. has ruled that the UFC Freedom 250 event can proceed on the White House grounds on June 14. Judge Amit Mehta refused a preliminary injunction to stop the event, citing a lack of evidence that critics were directly affected by the government's decision to permit the fight. The lawsuit, filed by the Public Integrity Project, alleged that the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service violated federal law and regulations by allowing the event.
The court found that critics had not identified significant environmental damage and that any harm caused by the event would be temporary. The UFC has estimated it will spend $700,000 to restore damaged grass on the South Lawn. The event's temporary fighting arena, dubbed the "Claw," will be disassembled on June 15.
The lawsuit argued that the event did not qualify for a temporary rule permitting celebrations of America 250, as it is being run by the UFC rather than government agencies. However, Judge Mehta's decision allows the event to move forward, with a pre-fight news conference scheduled for the Lincoln Memorial on June 12. The White House has welcomed the ruling, stating it is looking forward to hosting the "once-in-a-lifetime celebration" on the South Lawn.
The court found that critics had not identified significant environmental damage and that any harm caused by the event would be temporary. The UFC has estimated it will spend $700,000 to restore damaged grass on the South Lawn. The event's temporary fighting arena, dubbed the "Claw," will be disassembled on June 15.
The lawsuit argued that the event did not qualify for a temporary rule permitting celebrations of America 250, as it is being run by the UFC rather than government agencies. However, Judge Mehta's decision allows the event to move forward, with a pre-fight news conference scheduled for the Lincoln Memorial on June 12. The White House has welcomed the ruling, stating it is looking forward to hosting the "once-in-a-lifetime celebration" on the South Lawn.
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