The President has revealed plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with a mixed martial arts match at the White House, a surprising decision given his often patriotic perspective. Does this reflect a shift away from his popularized ‘America First’ position, or does it demonstrate his personal interest in the sport? Further information about the event is still somewhat elusive. In his announcement, the president excitedly shared, ‘Anticipate a UFC duel right here on the White House lawn!’ UFC, standing for Ultimate Fighting Championship, is an influential mixed martial arts company that’s now publicly owned.
If this unexpected event comes to fruition, it shows a remarkable turnaround for a sport shunned by most of the nation not too long ago. The UFC was once known for its ‘unsanctioned’ approach, although it has adopted rules over time. Its brutal and unrestricted style was blasted in 1996 when a wave of appeals encouraged a nationwide ban, labeling UFC as ‘savage,’ ‘not a legitimate sport,’ and even ‘human cockfighting.’ Consequently, UFC plunged into obscurity within the United States.
Indeed, the USC could not regain public attention until the new millennium’s dawn when previous bans were systematically lifted across states. The UFC was able to host its first fight in 2001, which may give credence to the President’s consideration of hosting a match at the White House. ‘We will host some phenomenal events, both professional and amateur. The UFC match is going to be especially noteworthy,’ he enthusiastically announced during the meeting.
Moreover, he added that the match would be a full-fledged championship fight, expecting a crowd of approximately 20-25,000 people. He continued, ‘This match will be a pinnacle in our ‘250’ celebrations.’ The President appeared very resolute on his decision to bring a sport influenced by diverse global cultures onto the White House grounds, raising eyebrows when considering that traditionally American sports like baseball, basketball, and football received no particular mention.
While baseball was conceived in New York during the 1840s, basketball shoot its roots in the 1890s in Massachusetts, and American football began as we know it on the East Coast in the 1960s, these distinctly American sports found no place in the celebrations. The President’s focus on a mixed martial arts competition over these sports has triggered several questions from those observing this surprising twist in the events.