Putting a UFC card on the White House South Lawn was never going to be straightforward.
Beyond turning a political landmark into a fight-night venue, organisers had to manage an open-air setting, weather concerns and the pressure of building an arena outside a traditional stadium.
Still, the biggest challenge was security. US president Donald Trump was attending in an exposed area and, although the event passed without incident, federal forces were dealing with a threat far more serious than crowd control.
FBI stopped explosive drone plot aimed at Donald Trump during UFC event at the White House
FBI Director Kash Patel said alleged attacks targeting the UFC event last Sunday were stopped after a multi-state operation, with nearly two dozen suspects identified and five people reportedly in custody.
Court documents said part of the plan involved explosive-packed drones striking nearby buildings before panic pushed crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team.
Prosecutors said a second wave of attackers was then expected to move towards a White House gate, raising the scale of what authorities described as a serious threat.
The event had around 4,300 invited guests on the South Lawn, while 85,000 more watched from a nearby fan zone, which made the alleged plan especially alarming for security officials.
Investigators said the plot was uncovered after concerns were raised about 19-year-old Ohio suspect Tycen Proper, whose encrypted messages allegedly connected him to others discussing anti-government violence.
The investigation remains active, according to Secret Service officials, with more suspects still being identified.
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