From ‘human cockfighting’ to the White House, UFC marches into cultural mainstream
The fights hosted by US President Trump on Sunday will feature professionals but the sport’s grass roots include a pianist and a PhD student
As workers put final touches to a massive arena for Sunday’s cage fight on the White House South Lawn, a few miles away, a professional pianist is learning how to choke someone unconscious.
Across the same mat, an immunologist-by-day is teaching students how to pin a struggling opponent.
They represent the grass-roots of a US martial arts phenomenon that has brought the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from what was once derided as “human cockfighting” to the cultural mainstream – and now the White House.
“The rise of the UFC has been a stunning thing to watch,” said UFC fighter Ryan Hall, owner and head trainer at Fifty/50 Martial Arts Academy, where the men were training.
“A UFC event on the White House lawn – tell me that 10 years ago and I’d laugh at you!” he said.
The fighters performing in front of President Donald Trump will blend punching, kicking, grappling, choking and joint locks in contests that frequently leave the mats streaked in blood.