US President Donald Trump has shown off official renderings of how he will transform the White House for a historic UFC card in July.
Trump, one of the fighting category’s biggest supporters, is staging the first sporting event to ever be held at the iconic 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue landmark.
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After more than 12 months of planning, UFC fans were given a new look at the 4,000 seat stadium that will be erected on the South Lawn of the White House for an unprecedented event as part of a month of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
UFC boss Dana White last year showed off brief glimpses of an artist’s impression of what the arced, temporary stadium will look like.
The images Trump showed to reporters on Thursday (AEST) revealed small tweaks.
The cornerstone of the project will remain the same with the White House to be used as the backdrop for the global TV broadcast for the event, which has been branded “UFC Freedom 250”.
The reverse shot of the stadium will show the Washington Monument.
The stadium will be completed with two makeshift arches hung over the top of the Octagon to frame the President’s residence for TV cameras.
In the headliner of the event, lightweight champions Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will fight to unify the lightweight title, with the Georgian returning after a fighting hiatus.
Rumours of American icon Jon Jones and cult hero Conor McGregor making shock returns for the special event did not eventuate.
The co-main event will see Alex Pereira face No.1 ranked heavyweight Ciryl Gane.
The quality of the card will be lost on many casual fans of the sport, but Trump has still promised the greatest show in the history of sport.
“I’m a big sports fan. There are no people tougher in sports than the people behind me. These are the toughest. I know them all,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
Trump said the “big fight” will be the “greatest show on earth.” He also said upward of 100,000 people will be able to watch the fights in Washington, D.C. with eight large screens near the White House.
Trump showed off the construction renderings during a press briefing inside the Oval Office where Gaethje, Topuria and other fighters stood behind the famous desk in front of TV cameras and reporters.
“What an unbelievable honour. To have a president that’s willing to go against an upstream and against the norms is truly special. That’s why you got my vote. And it’s why we’re such a great nation right now compared to where we were,” Gaethje said.
White said last year Trump wanted to put his daughter Ivanka “in the middle” of the event’s planning.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan said last month the event was going to be “insane” when the cards were first confirmed.
White previously said fighters will walk out to the Octagon from the White House and said the weigh-ins staged one day before the fights at the iconic Lincoln Memorial.
Those fortunate enough to attend the historic showcase will be required to undergo stringent security screening before stepping onto the grounds.