UFC Freedom 250 — the polarizing fight card held at the White House — is over.
Though my co-author and I weren’t on the South Lawn on Sunday, we had an up-close view as the events unfolded in Washington, D.C., trying to understand this moment in history.
There was some good, some bad and some ugly. And of course, those categories are up for debate.
Here is our post-fight conversation.
Aaron Shill: What about the event didn’t sit well with you? Is there anything you feel went too far or crossed a line?
Jesse Hyde: Oh boy. Crossed the line? Maybe when a fighter called Michelle Obama a man? That probably takes the cake.
On Saturday night, when we attended the weigh-ins, I think we were both surprised it didn’t feel political. As you pointed out, there was no mention of President Trump. You got here earlier than me, and I think you noted that in the run-up to the card, everyone was focused on the fights, not politics.
Sunday night was different, from the moment the event started. Trump and UFC president Dana White exited the White House together and made their way to the cage. That was just a taste of things to come. Fighters began their walkouts from the Oval Office, were escorted out to the cage by war heroes, soldiers stood at attention and a military choir sung walk-out songs. I get that it happens at every NFL game, but using the military as part of a sporting event — something about this was very jarring and just felt off.
As you mentioned, we weren’t able to be cageside. As ink-stained wretches, we were among the huddled masses under the Ellipse or in the media room. And out there under the klieg lights, at least for me, it felt very different from the night before. There was an eerie, strange feeling. That changed, however, as the night wore on; by the main event, it just felt like another UFC card.
You asked me in our previous exchange if I thought the event was profane. I said I tended to lean that way, but also understood your argument — that much of the backlash came from people who look down on the part of America that likes pro wrestling and NASCAR.
I still think that’s a great point, but now, having been out there, I’m not sure if profane is a strong enough word. To me, it felt like the desecration of a sacred space. And, hey, somehow we’ve failed to mention this whole thing went down on the Sabbath!
One last thought: there is a very heavy military presence in D.C. The National Guard has been patrolling the city since last year. I think it would be fair to call it an occupied city. It feels that way, at least. Considering that atmosphere, and the way this event went down — with a heavy fusion of violence, the military and a divisive presidential administration — it didn’t feel patriotic to me.
Maybe it’s just vulgar and a one-off event. But I also thought: why wouldn’t the president host a WWE event for his 81st birthday? He did shave the head of former WWE chairman Vince McMahon during a pro wrestling match. Maybe this is just the first of many events.
JH: I’m curious how you felt about the event. Did anything feel different for you from last night?
AS: On Friday, I was right in-between the fighters seated at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and thousands of fans with the Washington Monument in the distance. On Saturday, we were right next to the stage for the ceremonial weigh-ins — again, with thousands of fans behind us. The atmosphere both nights was electric. And I thought, “Man, all the people wringing their hands over this are missing out.”
On fight night, I was in the media center — so everything I’m saying is based on the broadcast.
As I’ve stated, I don’t object to the venue. I wouldn’t object to a basketball game or a boxing match on the South Lawn. And while I understand and respect the pointed opinions to the contrary, I admire what the UFC tried to do with Freedom 250. And I found the sneering of some of the media and critics on social media more distasteful than the event itself.
I believe sport can reflect patriotism — and that includes patriotic displays from the international fighters, like Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi walking out to the Canadian national anthem. And at its best, it invites unity. I love that I can go to any city in the country and strike up a conversation about the Knicks, the Commanders, the Falcons, the Saints.
I found myself hoping that my family was watching (they probably weren’t) when Bo Nickal scored an impressive victory, hugged his opponent, thanks his family and praised Christ by citing a Bible verse.
But have you ever hosted a party and you’re really happy with how things are going — and then one of your guests says something that just makes everyone wince?
Man, if Josh Hokit didn’t kill any potential unity vibe.
The heavyweight’s mission seems to be sabotage. He spent the entire press conference interrupting and infuriating Ilia Topura — whom he’ll never fight. As a fan of pro wrestling, I can appreciate the Hollywood Hogan act.
But it went too far Sunday.
Hokit started the fight by flipping off Derrick Lewis. I wasn’t surprised that he dropped the f-bomb in the post-fight interview. That happens during these broadcasts. But the Michelle Obama comment — right after referencing Christ — was offensive. And I guarantee you that’s the only thing a lot of critics of this event will see.
I didn’t think the event was profane. I thought Hokit was profane. And that was disappointing.
AS: What do you think the event got right?
JH: Considering the possibility of bad weather, holding an event outside, putting tens of thousands of people on the White House lawn and adjacent Ellipse, it’s pretty remarkable that other than a slight weather-related delay, the event went off without a hitch.
I’m not a fan of the president’s aesthetics. All the gold leaf stuff, the gold toilets. So to me, the White House backdrop and the use of the military was a turn-off. But a lot of people like the president’s style, and so I’m sure for them the backdrop and all the militaristic touches looked awesome, even patriotic. The production was pretty flawless.
And the fights all delivered. So for fight fans, outside of all the distractions, there was a lot to like.
JH: You mentioned that when you told some people about this assignment, they were a little horrified. We both have friends and family who are scandalized we’re even here covering this. Do you think that stems from how people feel about UFC, Trump, a cage match on the White House lawn, or some combination of all three.
I really believe it’s the sport. It clearly represents a metaphorical line that a segment of America believes Trump crossed.
All kinds of events and visits take place at the White House. No one cares. And at the risk of being indelicate, many, many presidents over the centuries haven’t exactly made the best decisions in the People’s House. We move on.
I’m convinced that no one would have flinched if a college basketball game would have been scheduled for the South Lawn, like they have been on aircraft carriers in the past.
Baseball has been played on or near the White House. And wasn’t the UFC’s Teddy Roosevelt video convincing?
Maybe it’s the cage. Maybe it’s the blood stains on the mat. But no one seems to be ambivalent about the sport. Which is sad, because these fighters are remarkable — their toughness and tenacity. They come from all around the world. Some have pulled themselves out of poverty.
We watch elite athletes because they do what we can’t.
The most interesting quote I heard all weekend came from Justin Gaethje, who was asked Friday if his upcoming fight was personal.
“Of course fighting is personal,” he said. “We’re ... trying to beat each other up. That’s what we do. That’s what this sport is. None of you guys understand how serious it is. Only us fighters understand the consequences of getting in there every single time.”
AS: Who were the big winners from the event?
JH: The fighters who won, especially Gaethje. What a stunning upset. Incredible.
JH: Who do you think are the winners and losers tonight?
The sponsors. Are you kidding?
The UFC can sell anything. They even sold the lawn repairs on the South Lawn to Scotts.
And what about the music? Please, someone make a digital version of that “Ain’t No Grave” version available. That was more haunting than Johnny Cash himself. Those U.S. Marine Corps. performances were amazing.
As far as the fighters go, Nickal and Mauricio Ruffy won with grace and class.
But what can you say about Gaethje? He wrote the perfect ending to this event — a rugged, never-quit American on the edge of defeat who turns the fight around as the crowd chants “U.S.A., U.S.A.”
Considering the Hollywood ending and the fact that the weather ended up being almost perfect, the biggest loss was probably suffered by those who wanted this to go badly for Trump.