UFC White House producer outlines weather plans for South Lawn

UFC Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari told reporters Wednesday the promotion has protocols in place to handle weather complications at UFC White House, which takes place outdoors on the South Lawn this Sunday.

Borsari, a lead producer on the event, said the production team is now receiving hourly meteorologist reports as the show approaches. The biggest concerns center on heat from the summer sun and the possibility of rain or thunderstorms disrupting the broadcast.

Canvas cover and canopy system address heat concerns

"We have a custom cover for the canvas, so that's going to protect us from any increased heat," Borsari said at Wednesday's media day, per MMA Fighting. "Part of the reason why we picked an 8 p.m. start time was so that we could get some of the intense direct sunlight off of the canvas." He added that a 100-foot canopy mounted on a claw structure will provide shade and reduce temperatures significantly.

If light to moderate rain arrives without lightning, Borsari said the plan is to push forward with the show. The canopy will shelter most attendees, though floor seating and some bleacher sections may get wet. "If we've got a bit of a breeze, the rain will start to creep inside that 100-foot diameter," he said.

In a severe weather scenario, the broadcast would remain on air from a location near the South Lawn while the meteorologist evaluates whether the front will pass. "We would not leave the broadcast, we would just fill and report from site," Borsari said. Despite UFC CEO Dana White's well-known reluctance to stage outdoor events, Borsari confirmed the promotion never considered moving the card indoors once President Donald Trump extended the invitation.

The South Lawn will host VIP seating for Trump and high-ranking officials, while a viewing party for more than 80,000 fans is planned at the nearby Ellipse park.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — UFC White House producer details planning for outdoor elements, bad weather contingencies