UFC White House fighters prep for D.C. heat and humidity

Fighters scheduled for UFC White House are more worried about the heat than the rain. With temperatures in Washington D.C. hitting 95 degrees and 83 percent humidity in the evenings, several competitors have adjusted their training camps to match conditions they will face outdoors on June 14.

Justin Gaethje told reporters at Wednesday's media day that he has been using sauna sessions to simulate the environment. "I put myself in the sauna before my workouts so I can work out with my body heat elevated," he said, per MMA Mania. "Or I go in the sauna mid-workout and really peak my temperature so that I have to perform in that atmosphere."

Heat could affect heart rate and cardio output

Sean O'Malley explained to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that humidity creates a physiological challenge beyond normal cage conditions. "It will get your heart rate higher than it typically would be inside an air-conditioned environment and as a fighter, your goal is to keep your heart rate low," he said. "That's the biggest thing."

Alex Pereira posted video of himself training near the Washington Monument as part of his outdoor preparation. Michael Chandler said his South Florida camp has already exposed him to similar weather, giving him confidence he can handle the variables better than his opponent.

The promotion has run outdoor events before, but UFC White House marks the highest-profile card ever contested outside a climate-controlled arena. First bell is set for Sunday evening on Paramount+.

Photo: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — UFC White House fighters try to acclimatize to D.C. heat and humidity | MMA Mania