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US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that there would be an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fight in the White House grounds to mark his 80th birthday on June 14.
Trump, a UFC fan, made the announcement on social media. This year marks the 250th anniversary of US independence and the initial plans were for the fight to take place on July 4, US Independence Day.
On Saturday, Trump was attending a UFC fight in Miami with several family members and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when Vice-President J.D. Vance announced from talks in Pakistan that there was no deal between the United States and Iran.
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The UFC is the biggest professional league for mixed martial arts (MMA), a combat sport popular especially in the US that combines several disciplines.
In their duels in cage-like fighting areas, fighters use elements and techniques from boxing, kickboxing and wrestling. Unlike wrestling, the fights are not staged.
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Headlining the fight on June 14, which also happens to be US flag day, are Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje in the lightweight championship and Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane in the interim heavyweight championship.
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