Criticism has continued over the UFC showdown set for the White House, and the latest complaint centers on the use of bright lights at the event site.
A pilot has alleged that the lights used during the construction and testing of the massive octagon created visibility concerns for aircraft operating in the area.
The fears add to a growing list of controversies surrounding the event, which has already faced legal challenges, logistical questions, and weather-related uncertainty.
UFC Lighting Setup Draws Safety Complaint From Pilot
Hours before the UFC showdown at the White House, the event remains surrounded by controversy and safety concerns.
According to a report by MeidasTouch, an anonymous pilot alleged that the lighting setup used during the construction and testing of the octagon is partially blinding flight crews approaching a major U.S. airport.
The aviation professional reportedly described the glare from the lights as “ten times worse than any laser illumination event,” claiming that it poses a significant visibility hazard for pilots.
The individual also cited a specific incident in which the lights allegedly shone directly into the cockpit of an aircraft approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at night. However, the exact date of the alleged occurrence was not disclosed.
Pilot Says Reports Were Filed With Federal Agencies
The pilot claims to have taken action regarding the issue shortly after it occurred.
Initial reports were supposedly filed with the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency responsible for regulating civil aviation, overseeing safety standards, and managing air traffic across the United States and surrounding international airspace.
A further report was also submitted through NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, a confidential channel used by industry professionals to log potential hazards and safety-related concerns.
The pilot also said they contacted a local FAA office and were advised to escalate the issue directly to the White House. However, they did not say whether they followed through with the suggestion.
Trump’s Administration Faced A Lawsuit Over The UFC Event
Despite being highly anticipated by many MMA fans, the UFC event faced a legal challenge to prevent it from taking place.
Earlier this month, two Virginia residents, Susan Douglas and Paul Romano, represented by the watchdog group Public Integrity Project, filed a lawsuit seeking to block the event.
The suit described the UFC event as “illegal,” alleging that the necessary approvals had not been obtained to stage the event or construct facilities on federal parkland.
It also characterized the arrangement as “corrupt,” citing reports that Donald Trump had purchased stock in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC.
Judge Tossed The Lawsuit Against The UFC Event
The case, however, was dismissed on Friday by Judge Amit Mehta, according to The Hill.
The U.S. District Judge found that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the event despite their concerns.
Mehta further wrote that the “plaintiffs fall short of showing they are ‘directly affected’ by defendants’ actions,” according to his ruling.
He also defended the event’s legality, stating that it falls within special permitting exceptions established for celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
However, the ruling did not address the plaintiffs’ allegations of corruption or whether the event complied with required environmental regulations and National Park Service permitting standards.
Weather And Fight Card Questions Also Loom
Aside from the lawsuit, the UFC event has also faced criticism and concerns from various sources.
Some of the earliest criticism came from individuals who argued that the event was effectively being sponsored by the federal government, a claim the White House has repeatedly denied.
Others questioned the absence of female fighters on the event’s fight card, raising concerns about representation and what the decision could mean for the sport.
More recently, severe thunderstorms sweeping across Washington, D.C., forced organizers to postpone the official press conference at the Lincoln Memorial.
UFC executives have since confirmed that rain alone would not be enough to stop the fights from going ahead. However, any lightning strike within a designated safety radius would trigger an immediate evacuation of the venue and could potentially disrupt the event.