White House prepares for UFC Freedom 250 - in pictures

Illia Topuria (left) holds the UFC lightweight belt over his right shoulder and Justin Gaethje (right) has the UFC interim lightweight belt over his right shoulderGetty Images

Illia Topuria (left) is undefeated in 17 fights in mixed martial arts

Visitors to the White House have been greeted by a much-changed landscape over the past couple of weeks as preparations for UFC Freedom 250 come together.

On Sunday evening in Washington DC, Illia Topuria will defend his UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje on the South Lawn of the historic centre of American power.

The event marks 250 years of American Independence and also falls on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Construction on a hulking structure, nicknamed 'the claw', began in May with workers assembling domed arches over a staging area which will become the octagon.

An unprecedented event has already thrown up countless picture-worthy moments - here are some of the most eye-catching.

UFC structure towers over White House

A general view of a domed structure being assembled in front of the White HouseGetty Images

Trump compared structure to Eiffel Tower

People are working on the UFC's domed structure Getty Images

The National Guard are helping with security

A member of the US National Guard stands next to an armoured vehicle with the White House in the backgroundGetty Images

Temporary stands assembled on South Lawn

Temporary stands are assembled around a UFC octagon on the South Lawn of the White HouseReuters

Fighters to walk to the octagon from the Oval Office

Alex Pereira, Illia Topuria, Justin Gaethje and Ciryl Gane stand behind Donald Trump in the Oval OfficeGetty Images

Street views of the octagon are restricted

Structures and signage on the White House lawnGetty Images

Topuria and Gaethje headline UFC Freedom 250

Illia Topuria and Justin Gaethje face off on a White House balconyGetty Images

Trump has been teasing plans over recent weeks

An AI-generated image of how the UFC octagon will look with a crowd in front of the White HouseGetty Images

A commemorative belt has been created for the event

A UFC belt with an embedded American flagGetty Images

Most famous person on Justin Gaethje's phone?

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