Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday by hailing an initial agreement to end the Iran war and staging a cage-fighting show on the White House South Lawn.
The US president had been touting the emerging deal for weeks, and the conflict threatened to overshadow an extravaganza that saw fighters inside a wire-mesh Octagon punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission.
Ahead of the event, Mr Trump said an agreement to end the conflict with Tehran “is now complete”.
He said the US will end its blockade of Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, however crucial details still need negotiating over the coming weeks.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s seven bouts are the first professional sporting event hosted at the White House in its history.
President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump watch at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250. Pic:AP
It is part of the Trump administration’s celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary, and is a centrepiece in the president’s summer of sport.
The event, held on Trump’s 80th birthday, began hours after the president and Iranian officials announced they have a tentative peace agreement to end the four-month-old war, which has pushed consumer prices to a three-year high.
Top administration officials and Republican leaders watched the fights, including secretary of state Marco Rubio and house speaker Mike Johnson, with Polish President Karol Nawrocki also at the White House for his first foreign visit.
Thousands of spectators crowded into the temporary arena under The Claw, a spaceship-like metal arch kitted out with sound equipment and large screens. Thousands of others watched on big screens from the nearby Ellipse.
“This event is a one of one event, incredible event,” said UFC chief Dana White, a close friend of the president’s, during a Friday night hype session at the Lincoln Memorial.
Pic: Reuters
Pic: AP
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Before the fighting, UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland – an outspoken critic of Israel – was escorted out of the Ellipse by police officers.
While heavyweight Josh Hokit launched an extraordinary and unfounded attack based on a right-wing conspiracy theory about a former first lady: “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
Mr Hokit also placed a chain around the president’s neck.
The crowd repeatedly chanted, “USA! USA!” during the fighting when an American faced a foreign opponent and many of the winners thanked Mr Trump and God.
Pic: AP
Wearing a suit and tie despite the summer heat, Mr Trump sat stoned-faced for much of the time, watching through a wire-mesh cage.
At one point he spoke briefly with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who was also at his inauguration along with other major tech CEOs.
When American Sean O’Malley fought Canadian Aiemann Zahabi, Mr Trump donned a white USA hat.
After Mr Zahabi won, he shook hands with the US president and saluted him.
Tensions have been ramping up between the two nations ahead of the G7 summit in France, starting today.
President Donald Trump with UFC President Dana White
Mr Trump talks to his son Barron Trump and former soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Pic: Reuters
Mr Trump said on Wednesday that the US might not renew its free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, adding: “We don’t need anything that Canada has. We don't need anything that Mexico has, but they need everything that we have.”
After all the action, the US president headed inside the cage to shake hands and watch a fireworks display after 1am.
It was all a very long way from when Mr Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, turned 80 in November 2022, then the oldest president in US history, celebrating with a private family brunch at the White House.
Donald Trump Jr. Pic: Reuters
Asked about the contrast, White House spokesperson Allison Schuster called the UFC event “one of the most entertaining nights in American history”.
The president also sought to tie the fights to large-scale celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The G7 summit for leaders of industrialised nations had pushed back their get-together so that Mr Trump could attend the cage-match party and then fly to Europe for the meetings.
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