Organizers for tonight’s unprecedented “UFC Freedom 250” event will be forced to keep an anxious eye on the sky as forecasts show a strong chance of rain.

The controversial event received the go-ahead after a judge ruled against civic activists who called it “deeply corrupt” and requested its cancellation.

Mixed reactions from Americans have trailed the fight, with many suggesting Donald Trump is using a public event tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary to celebrate himself.

Weather Could Disrupt UFC Freedom 250

After doing everything possible to ensure the success of “UFC Freedom 250,” organizers’ efforts could be tested as storm clouds loom over the White House and its surroundings.

According to AccuWeather, the forecast for Sunday in the Washington, D.C., area indicates a strong likelihood of “a heavy thunderstorm late in the afternoon,” with “downpours and lightning” that could impact events at the White House.

As workers put the finishing touches on a massive, 600-ton steel structure on the South Lawn of the White House, only the Octagon arena itself has a roof. That means attendees and guests watching from the stands could be exposed if rain hits as forecast.

Bugs Could Add To White House UFC Problems

Another natural issue that could hamper the smooth flow of proceedings is bugs. The hot, humid conditions in the area, coupled with the bright lights of a UFC fight, could attract large numbers of insects.

University of Maryland entomologist Michael Raupp told Axios that the event will likely draw a huge crowd, as well as bugs, which could then bring bats rolling in uninvited.

“If you have this banquet of small flying insects,” Raupp added, “the bats are going to say, ‘Oh, baby!’”

Dana White Says UFC Is Ready For Trouble

Organizers appear to be preparing for potential disruptions, as UFC boss Dana White acknowledged awareness of weather and wildlife threats. He also said the production team has had to prepare for such possibilities.

“The three big problems, as far as I am seeing right now, are rain, lightning, and a ton of bugs,” White told The Hollywood Reporter last week, recalling a recent White House dinner where guests expressed concerns about “clusters” of gnats.

However, there does not appear to be much that organizers can do to fully protect the event if the clouds open up. One measure being considered in the event of rain is simply waiting it out, as White has insisted the fight must go on regardless.

“I don’t care if it snows, rains, whatever, we’re going – and even lightning,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “You guys all played sports when you were growing up. Whenever there was lightning, you’d sit the lightning out, and then when it was over, you played. That’s what we’ll do. And if there would be lightning, we’d know it days before, and then we would work around it.”

Fighters Fear Weather Could Affect Results

Meanwhile, some fighters and UFC enthusiasts have weighed in on how the weather could negatively affect the event. Fighter Sean O’Malley, who is on the card for Sunday’s bout against Aiemann Zahabi, expressed concern about the possibility of losing because of something outside a fighter’s skill set.

“It’s at the White House, so you gotta deal with whatever you gotta deal with,” he told MMA Junkie. “That would suck to lose because of a reason outside of your skillset. May the best man win. If something plays a role because it’s outside and it affects the fight somehow, that would suck.”

Joe Rogan also complained about the fight during a recent episode of his podcast, admitting he does not like the idea and warning about the risk of dehydration in hot conditions.

“The White House thing is odd. I don’t like it. I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all. June and it’s D.C., and we looked it up, the last time, like last year, same day, was 100 degrees. That’s hot as f-ck. You add the lights. How about dehydration?” he said.

Judge Clears Way For White House UFC Event

The event, which coincides with President Trump’s 80th birthday celebration, will proceed as scheduled despite the legal challenges that have followed it. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rejected an emergency injunction sought by two Virginia residents to halt the fight.

The lawsuit called the event on the White House lawn “deeply corrupt” and claimed that Trump had given his friend’s company “unfettered access to the White House and Lincoln Memorial to stage a private, for-profit sports event, with all the promotional and branding opportunities that accompany such access.”

Judge Mehta sided against the plaintiffs, saying they did not have the legal standing to challenge “UFC Freedom 250.” The judge also ruled that canceling it at this stage would result in substantial costs and damages for several collaborating agencies, including $9 million for Capitol Police overtime and another $8 million spent by the Secret Service.