State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Newsmax on Friday that Sunday's UFC show at the White House represents a "historic once-in-a-generation event" and highlighted the administration's newly formalized partnership with the mixed martial arts organization as a vehicle for sports diplomacy.
Pigott told "American Agenda" that the excitement surrounding the event is evident as visitors travel to Washington from around the world.
"It really is a historic once-in-a-generation event," Pigott said. "People traveling from all around the world to try to be part of this event, that shows why the MOU [memorandum of understanding] is something that's so exciting, such an exciting opportunity in order to see that sports diplomacy around the world that is so important."
Pigott's comments came one day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC CEO Dana White signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a public-private partnership aimed at expanding sports diplomacy initiatives and supporting the global growth of mixed martial arts.
The State Department said the agreement will leverage UFC's worldwide platform to engage audiences, enhance cultural exchange programs, and promote values including discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, and excellence.
According to Pigott, the partnership can help engage audiences that traditional diplomatic efforts might not.
"That can help reach people that can't be reached otherwise, that can help teach English, discipline, mentorship, have these mentors going around the world," he said.
Pigott also linked the White House event to what he called a broader era of major sporting events in the U.S.
"The energy is palpable in the city," he said. "A true marker here and a true decade of sports for the United States of America."
Asked about security concerns surrounding the high-profile event, Pigott said safety remains a top priority across the federal government.
"As with all of these events, security, of course, is foremost and forefront for the Trump administration," he said.
Pigott pointed specifically to visa screening for international visitors, "that fundamental principle that each visa decision is a national security decision."
He added that federal, state, and local authorities are coordinating to ensure the event is conducted safely.
The UFC card is scheduled for Sunday on the White House South Lawn as part of celebrations surrounding America's 250th anniversary.
Earlier Friday, a federal judge declined to block the event, rejecting a lawsuit that sought to halt the fights after finding the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds for an injunction.
Pigott said the event reflects what he described as the American spirit.
"We have something here that is so quintessentially American," he said. "In the United States of America, you can build what you want to build. You can be what you want to be if you have the hard work and perseverance and the dream to get it done."
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