Politics
Rain delays UFC Freedom 250 at White House
Key Points
The UFC's unprecedented UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House has been delayed by weather. The UFC temporarily postponed its seven-fight card for the scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night because of a series of thunderstorms moving in from West Virginia. According to the broadcast, any lightning strike within a six-mile radius would require 30 minutes of a shelter-in-place order, before the card could resume.
WASHINGTON -- The UFC's unprecedented UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House has been delayed by weather.
The UFC temporarily postponed its seven-fight card for the scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night because of a series of thunderstorms moving in from West Virginia. According to the broadcast, any lightning strike within a six-mile radius would require 30 minutes of a shelter-in-place order, before the card could resume. Rain and wind are obvious factors, but the main concern is lightning. The weather is supposed to clear by 9 p.m. ET, according to the broadcast.
All 14 fighters on the card were aware of the possibility of a delay. The card is headlined by a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. UFC CEO Dana White has vowed for the event to take place Sunday, which is President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.