Thunderstorms threaten Trump's UFC cage fight on the White House lawn

Thunderstorms threaten Trump's UFC cage fight on the White House lawn17 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBernd Debusmann JrWhite House reporter Watch a tour of the arena outside the White HouseWhen the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heads to the White House on Sunday for the first-ever professional sporting event at the US presidential residence, many of those in attendance will be keeping their eyes on the sky.About 4,300 people are expected at the invite-only mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn, with another 85,000 expected at a nearby fan zone. A lawsuit failed to halt the event, but hot weather and thunderstorms expected to sweep across the city on Sunday could dampen the spectacle, or send some of those thousands rushing for cover.The action is set to start at 20:00 EDT (midnight GMT, 01:00 BST), during a window when the National Weather Service expects the air to thicken with humidity exceeding 70% and the temperature to hover around 80F (27C). The agency has warned "damaging thunderstorms" may shake the region in the evening, and it forecasts a 70% chance of rain that could drop as much as half an inch of water on Washington.The event coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, which is also Flag Day, and is part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.The seven-bout card was arranged between Trump and his longstanding friend Dana White, UFC president. The UFC spent about $60m (£45m) on the event, including $700,000 for grass repairs afterwards on a lawn that hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll.The centrepiece is the "Claw" - a 92ft high metal structure that looms over the octagon and many of the seats. It weighs 600 tonnes.'Greatest show on Earth', Trump saysA total of 14 fighters will compete in back-to-back fights, ending with the main card between Georgian-Spanish lightweight Ilia Topuria and American Justin Gaethje. It will be screened exclusively on Paramount+, which...