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President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday on Sunday by hailing an initial agreement to end the war in Iran and staging a once unfathomable cage-fighting show on the storied South Lawn of the White House.
Trump had been touting the emerging deal for weeks, and last-minute strikes in the conflict had threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza -- where combatants inside a wire-mesh octagon tried to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission.
Ahead of the fight starting, however, the president said an agreement to end the conflict "is now complete." He declared that the U.S. will end its blockade of Iran, and that Strait of Hormuz would reopen, potentially easing high oil prices and skittish global markets. But the crucial details are still to be negotiated.
Word of the deal was a prefight present for Trump but his focus quickly shifted to UFC. Top administration officials and Republican leaders attended, including FBI Director Kash Patel and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Polish President Karol Nawrocki was spotted heading into the White House for it, too.
Trump and UFC chief Dana White walked together from the Oval Office to the Blue Room Balcony to survey the Octagon and stood for the national anthem as fighter jets thundered overhead. The crowd chanted, "USA! USA!"
More than 4,000 spectators were invited to a temporary arena under "The Claw," a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lighting, sound equipment and large screens. Thousands more watched on big screens from the nearby Ellipse.
"This event is a one of one event, incredible event. I love it," said White, a close friend of the president's, during a Friday night hype session at the Lincoln Memorial, where pairs of fighters shoved and scuffled for the cameras under the stoic gaze of Honest Abe's marble likeness.
First lady Melania Trump also attended. As Diego Lopes was defeating American Steve Garcia in the opening fight, the president could be seen speaking to the first lady while watching the knockout. After Bo Nickal knocked out Kyle Daukaus in the second fight, Nickal went over to Trump and kneeled down, speaking briefing with the president.
In a subsequent interview with White, Nickal marveled at fighting at the White House and thanked Trump "for making this happen." Trump-favorite "YMCA" then played.