Judge rejects lawsuit to stop UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House

A federal judge rejected a last‑minute bid to block UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn. Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing and that stopping the event would cause greater costs than the planned celebration would incur, noting nearly a year of planning, up to 900 workers, and about $60 million invested. The UFC event is tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations and is scheduled for this Sunday, coinciding with President Trump’s 80th birthday. The plan includes a 5,000-seat octagonal arena outside the White House and large screens at the Ellipse, with as many as 85,000 free tickets expected.