Thunderstorms likely to inaugurate Trump's UFC birthday bash on the White House lawn

The already controversial Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House South Lawn may have a new obstacle: the weather. A forecast warning of thunderstorms, life-threatening lightning, and strong winds could complicate an event that has never been attempted before and reportedly cost more than $80 million. Afternoon heat is expected to give way to thunderstorms by around 2 p.m., with the activity window continuing till 9 p.m. ET — precisely when the fights are scheduled, CNN reported.

Nearly 90,000 people are expected to attend UFC Freedom 250, which coincides with Trump's 80th birthday and is set to draw a host of A-listers. Forecast models warn of frequent lightning and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph through the DC area. Adding to the chaos, the guest list may include some uninvited attendees: night-flying insects such as stoneflies, caddisflies, winged beetles, midges, mayflies, mosquitoes, and biting black flies — along with the bats that feed on them, Axios reported.

To make matters worse, the National Weather Service's Baltimore/Washington office issued a heat advisory for the area, with Sunday's forecast calling for a high near 97 degrees and the heat index— a measure of how hot it actually feels when humidity combines with air temperature— going as high as 106, according to The Washington Times. The fights will take place inside the Octagon, beneath a 100-foot metal lighting rig known as the Claw, which meteorologists warn could turn into a lightning rod during a severe thunderstorm.

The outdoor spectacle has raised concerns among critics, including Democrats, calling it a brazen display of corruption and an unprecedented privatisation of a public institution. The federal government inked a public-private partnership deal with UFC CEO Dana White as part of its "sports diplomacy" programs, which could benefit the mixed martial arts company financially and ease international travel for the UFC.

The UFC, for its part, says it's prepared for the severe weather. Craig Borsari, the UFC's chief content officer, said the organisation is receiving hourly updates from an on-site meteorologist and has contingency plans in place. White has also confirmed that the weather remains a concern. He told Fox News he dislikes outdoor fights because of their unpredictability. "If it rains, we're going. If it snows, we're going," he said. "The only thing that kills us is lightning."

The main event will see American Justin Gaethje face Ilia Topuria of Georgia for the lightweight title. Alex Pereira of Brazil takes on France's Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. Of the seven fights planned, the two title bouts will run five five-minute rounds unless decided earlier by knockout or submission, whereas the remaining five non-title bouts will be contested over three five-minute rounds.