UFC at the White House beats the odds and the rain to put on a big show - ESPN

If there is one thing the UFC's first trip to the White House showed us, it's that the company knows how to put on fights. Between logistical challenges and a weather delay, the production, atmosphere and stunning finishes in all seven fights made for one of the most entertaining shows of the year.

Two new champions, picked by almost no one to win, were crowned as well, possibly changing the trajectories of their careers.

Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale and Jeff Wagenheim explore those topics and give their top takeaways from UFC Freedom 250.

Going into Sunday's event, there were some who were simply never going to support a UFC Octagon on the lawn of the president's residence. But those who viewed this event would almost certainly admit it was incredibly well done.

The UFC is up there with any sports league in the world when it comes to delivering a show. The production, storytelling and amount of thought that went into every detail of Sunday evening was meticulous, creative and well executed. The video packages to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States felt genuinely celebratory and non-partisan. The card was well constructed and resulted in a finish in every fight. Even the number of seven fights seemed appropriate. The UFC navigated a weather delay, something it never really has had to do, and professionally executed in a big spot with the world watching.

And I'll end with this: The fighters who were chosen were unbelievable. There were exponentially more obligations placed on them during this unique fight week. They had a delayed news conference at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday (the evening when they needed to cut weight), more media than usual and heightened security protocols, and then they had to