‘The Claw’ rises: White House Octagon ready for Trump’s 80th birthday cage fight

It’s the ultimate symbol of American politics under Donald Trump – a blood-soaked cage match on the lawn of the White House for the US president’s 80th birthday.

A giant arena dubbed “The Claw” has been built on the famed South Lawn for Sunday’s tournament featuring 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contestants.

Critics have panned the unprecedented US$60 million “UFC Freedom 250” event as tone-deaf at a time when Trump’s war in Iran has sent the cost of living soaring for ordinary Americans.

Trump says it is a great way to kick off the 250th anniversary of American independence – not to mention his own birthday – and insists UFC is bearing all of the cost.

But the billionaire Republican is also revelling in the macho side of an event that will see bare-knuckle fighters battle it out in a mesh-framed cage known as the “Octagon”.

“They’re the roughest people you’ll ever meet,” Trump told the New York Post on Thursday. “If you haven’t seen it much, you’re not going to believe it.”