The US has given the go-ahead for an MMA tournament to be held near the White House
This was reported by "European Truth", citing dpa.
The lawsuit against the tournament has been dismissed. The court concluded that opponents of the event had failed to prove what long-term harm it might cause, and had also filed their complaint too late.
A cage for the fights has already been set up near the White House
The fights are scheduled to take place on Sunday. An arena has already been set up near the White House — an octagonal MMA cage, spectator stands and a large dome have been installed. Officially, the event is linked to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence, which falls on 4 July. The tournament is being organised by the professional mixed martial arts league, the UFC.
Why the tournament has caused a scandal
Holding the fights practically on the doorstep of the US President’s residence has drawn criticism. The Public Integrity Project, acting on behalf of two US citizens, attempted to halt preparations for the event through the courts. The plaintiffs claimed that the area near the White House and the Lincoln Memorial was being used for a private sporting spectacle offering promotional opportunities for the organisers. Trump himself is a long-time supporter of the UFC, has attended tournaments on numerous occasions and maintains a close relationship with the league’s president, Dana White. The stands near the arena are expected to accommodate over 4,000 spectators. In addition, over 120,000 people could gather in the fan zone between the White House and the Washington Monument.
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