It sounds like the worst weather is expected in the next hour with a potential shelter in place order issued if there is thunder, lightning and high winds.

Hi John,

Regardless of whether you view it as an abomination unbecoming of the White House or a marvellous celebration of everything the USA stands for, an event of this type and scale held on the South Lawn is an historic moment.

Outside the event, labelled "a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit", protesters have hit the streets …

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Meanwhile, inside the watch party …

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The roof on the structure might keep them dry, but if there is any sort of wind, surely the rain is getting blown onto the fighters.

And any of the celebrities in attendance are surely getting soaked.

It's looking OK in this video shared by the White House account …

But the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Washington DC and surrounding areas.

There are seven fights on the card tonight/this morning.

Here's the order:

• Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia (featherweight)
• Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus (middleweight)
• Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler (lightweight)
• Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis (heavyweight)
• Sean O'Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)
• Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane (heavyweight — interim title fight)
• Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje (lightweight — title fight)

The Weather Channel has posted on social media that there could be some wild weather.

A decent chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms with 55 km/h wind gusts could cause delays to the event on the South Lawn of the White House.

The forecast also warns of mosquitoes and gnats "that fighters will have to battle inside the cage".

The White House's so-called "Rapid Response Team", the purview of which is to put "a flamethrower on the Fake News Media", says not to worry, though, because this post was written by a "friendless loser".

"This event is about celebrating America's unmatched greatness after 250 years," it tweeted.

"Rain or shine, we're celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

Off to one hell of a start.

Yes, you read that right; it's time for UFC on the South Lawn of the White House.

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It's all part of the United States's sesquicentennial celebrations and just so happens to coincide with US President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. How about that?

There are seven fights on the card today, culminating in a main event title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, plus a mountain of activity outside the octagon.

Stick around as we bring you every moment.