Love of Sport, Love of Country: The Fans of UFC Freedom 250
UFC Freedom 250 is being billed as historic for the venue alone. But the real history, in some ways, is being written by the people who travelled hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles to be there.
The nation’s capital was buzzing with excitement as fans began converging to witness history. Throughout the storied history of the UFC which began on November 12, 1993, fans have witnessed their favorite fighters climb to the top and were there when they laid their gloves in the center of the cage for the final time. This loyalty has spanned a generation.
Those who viewed the first official fight in UFC history at UFC 1 between Dutch Savate Champion Gerard Gordeau and Hawaiian Sumo Wrestler Teila Tuli never would have dreamt that there would be a card featuring legendary talent on the south lawn of the White House in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Those did dream; their dream just came true.
History is not made by buildings, politicians, or even athletes alone. It is made by people who travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to witness and write their own page in the book. As fans filled the streets, restaurants, and hotels throughout our nation’s capital, the excitement surrounding UFC Freedom 250 was impossible to ignore. Wanting to capture the spirit of this unprecedented event and the aura of a united America and one people, I spent the evening speaking with MMA fans from around the country. Their stories, memories, and expectations added color to a canvas of what this weekend truly means to the people.
Inside the Hamilton Restaurant, the definition of patriotism was lifted off the pages and brought to reality. Father and son Jake and Bill sat down with me for a lengthy conversation that brought a tear to my eye and pride to my heart. They arrived from Orlando, Florida, by way of New York City. Bill, a compassionate man and a loving father, made the realization that he wanted to create a lifelong memory with his son, who will be celebrating his 21st birthday on June 14th.
He obtained the tickets, booked a balcony room that overlooks the entire event, and stood alongside a man that he, not long ago, held in his arms and swore an oath to protect and prepare for life. He even told a few stories of a younger Jake, perhaps to his chagrin. When one looks to the next generation and we see a man like Jake, we can rest assured we are in good hands. Sometimes a script cannot be written any better even by a novelist.
Jake is entering his senior year at the University of North Georgia majoring in business. He was born on June 14th, Flag Day is June 14th, UFC Freedom 250 is June 14th, the birthday of the United States Army is June 14th and upon graduation Jake will be signing a blank cheque to defend this nation as an infantry officer in the United States Army.
He realizes freedom is not free and stated he wants to do his part to ensure the safety of our nation. A lifelong fan, Jake especially looking forward to seeing two of his favourite fighters enter the octagon: Derrick Lewis and Sean O’Malley.
Cousins Andrea and Rodrego descended to Washington DC, from Orlando, Florida. When Andrea was notified of her tickets, she immediately contacted Rodrego. Both jokingly stated that they left their significant others at home to attend the event. In reality, they saw this as an opportunity to embrace the most precious commodity in life, family. They made a point to thank American Airlines for ensuring their safe arrival, as their original flight on a different airline was cancelled Saturday morning, nearly derailing a lifetime memory.
After a lengthy discussion on what fight they were most looking forward to along with their favourite UFC fighter from the past one message kept resonating with each statement that sports bring people together from all walks of life. It lowers the walls that artificially divide us and brings us to the realisation that we are one people.
Two friends from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Aiden and Jace, have been taking in the sights and sounds of our nation’s capital and will be front and centre for the UFC Freedom 250. During our conversation they both had the same message: that they were looking forward to an exciting night of MMA and obviously rooting for America, but more than one singular fight; they both agreed that the main reason for their presence was that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Aiden could not emphasise enough the historical implications that this event at the White House is having on this nation, and Jace made a great point discussing the historic tie to America and how this event is bringing individuals from all walks of life to Washington DC to take in all that DC has to offer. Both are thankful to Dana White for creating this event.
Sheila from Cleveland, Ohio, an Army Veteran, is in our nation’s capital for UFC Freedom 250. Yes, for the card but more for what this weekend represents: freedom. She challenged me and others to take a moment, look around at all those in attendance and realise that we are not all that different, and perhaps this event will allow us to begin to see that through a clearer lens. She stated that this event is not about Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Centrists or Conservatives but about Americans coming together to celebrate their nation’s birthday & enjoy a night of combat sports.
A beautiful family, Colleen, Dawson & Damien from Jacksonville, Florida are attending their fourth UFC event. When asked why they are attending, Coleen simply stated, “It’s a fight, Let’s go!" All agreed that this is historic and once in a lifetime. They were in Washington DC last year and seeing the fighters walk to the cage on the lawn the White House is “going to be epic”.
They do not know how any fight or any event in combat sports in the future will top this regardless of who is fighting on the card. Their family friend Jake, who came with them, agreed that this event is celebrating the 250th birthday of America along with a UFC fight at the White House and that this will not ever be replicated or beaten.
As I sit and reflect on the conversations I had in Washington DC, one realization became impossible to ignore. This event is not just a UFC card; it is a gathering place. It is fathers and sons creating lifetime memories. It is cousins that will strengthen family bonds. It is friends that choose to travel across the country to be part of history together. It is veterans reflecting on the freedoms they helped defend. It is Americans from every background, every profession & every walk of life finding common ground through a shared passion.
On June 14th, the headlines will focus on knockouts, submissions, decisions, championships & championship aspirations. The cameras will follow the fighters as they walk to the Octagon located on the South Lawn of the White House. Yet, the true story of UFC Freedom 250 may be found beyond the cage. It can be found in the thousands of fans who travelled to our nation's capital to celebrate both the sport they love and the country that they call home.
For one weekend, politics took a back seat. Differences were set aside. Old Glory flew proudly overhead as Americans came together to celebrate 250 years of freedom in this great experiment and the remarkable journey of a sport that has captivated millions of fans around the world. In the end, perhaps that will be the legacy of UFC Freedom 250, which is a stark reminder that while we may come from different walks of life and hold different views, there is still far more that unites us than divides us.
Love of Sport + Love of Country = UFC Freedom 250.
