UFC Freedom 250 at White House delayed 45 minutes by storms

The UFC's first event at the White House missed its scheduled start time Sunday night when thunderstorms forced a 45-minute delay to UFC Freedom 250.

The seven-fight card was set to begin at 8 p.m. ET but did not get underway until shortly before 9 p.m., when Diego Lopes and Steve Garcia opened the show with a featherweight bout. According to ESPN's broadcast, lightning strikes within a six-mile radius triggered mandatory 30-minute shelter-in-place protocols before fights could proceed.

Topuria-Gaethje headliner proceeds after weather clears

All 14 fighters were briefed on potential weather complications beforehand. The main event pits lightweight champion Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje in a title bout that UFC president Dana White has vowed will take place Sunday to mark President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Rain and wind created concerns, but lightning posed the primary safety risk, per the broadcast. Weather forecasts indicated conditions would clear by 9 p.m. ET, which proved accurate enough for the promotion to move forward with the card at the White House South Lawn.

Source: espn.com