On Sunday afternoon, United States President Donald Trump will host a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House on Trump’s 80th birthday, in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, the event faces some pretty significant problems, including rain and bugs.
As the event approaches, UFC President Dana White confirmed that they are indeed concerned about the issues facing the event.
“The three big problems, as far as I am seeing right now, are rain, lightning and a ton of bugs,” White told The Hollywood Reporter last week.
But it sounds like the event is going to go ahead as planned despite the concerns.
Rain in the Forecast
The experts at AccuWeather have warned that on Sunday, Washington D.C. is expected to be hit with “a heavy thunderstorm late in the afternoon,” adding that “downpours and lightning could impact the events at the White House.”
While the temporary structure built on the White House lawn includes a roof arching over the UFC’s famous Octagon ring, protecting the fighters and the fights themselves from the elements, the guests watching from the stands will not be covered and will be exposed to the rain if bad weather strikes.
In the event of lightning, the fights may have to be delayed. However, White has reiterated that they will push ahead with the event regardless of the weather.
“We’re going to be good on Sunday,” White said this week via the Associated Press. “I don’t care if it snows, rains, we’re going. Even lightning. You guys all played sports when you were growing up. Whenever there was lightning, you’d sit the lightning out. When it was over, you played. That’s what we’ll do.”
Bugs Pose a Problem
In addition to the rain in the forecast, the attendees will likely have to deal with another issue: bugs.
With the hot and humid conditions combined with the bright lights, experts have warned that swarms of bugs could pose problems for the event.
“This event is going to draw a big crowd,” University of Maryland entomologist Michael Raupp told Axios. “But guess what? There are going to be even more bugs joining.”
Raupp warned that these bugs could attract another concern: bats.
“If you have this banquet of small flying insects,” Raupp added, “the bats are going to say, ‘Oh, baby!'”
Even White expressed concern about this as he recalled that during a recent White House dinner, guests were bothered with “clusters” of gnats.
Regardless of the issues, it sounds like the organizers plan to simply go ahead with the fights as planned.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.