When Donald Trump announced in July that the UFC would stage fights on the White House lawn to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, the reaction was immediate and explosive.
Soon after, UFC president Dana White raised the stakes, promising nothing less than “the baddest card of all time.” Now, Trump appears convinced that White is planning something unprecedented. “They’re going to have eight or nine championship fights the biggest fights they’ve ever had,” Trump said at the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7. “Every one’s a championship fight, and every one’s a legendary type of fight.”
It’s a stunning claim but is it even remotely realistic?
Not everyone is buying the hype. Joe Rogan quickly poured cold water on the idea of stacking eight or nine title fights onto a single card.
Rogan labeled the concept “nuts,” noting the logistical, physical, and promotional impossibility of aligning that many champions and contenders at once—especially in a sport where injuries, weight cuts, and negotiations derail plans regularly.
As of now, no fights have been officially booked for the UFC White House event, which is scheduled for June 14, 2026, closing out the promotion’s second-quarter calendar.
Fighters Lining Up for the Invite
Despite the uncertainty, the White House card has quickly become the most coveted invite in MMA. Given Trump’s popularity among fighters, it’s no surprise that several stars are openly campaigning to be included.
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Conor McGregor claims he expects to fight Michael Chandler at the White House, though his publicly stated $100 million price tag casts serious doubt on a return after nearly five years away.
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Jon Jones has repeatedly begged for a spot, but White has publicly questioned whether Jones can be trusted to actually make it to fight night.
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Kayla Harrison, currently the UFC’s only American champion, fully expects to be on the card—if she first gets past Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 on Jan. 24.
Potential Championship Showdowns
Other championship-level names have also floated interest:
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Islam Makhachev has said he wants to fight at the White House, which could host his expected welterweight title defense against former champion Kamaru Usman.
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Trump-aligned fighters such as
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l publicly pushed for inclusion.
Who’s Already Out?
In a surprising twist, Sean Strickland recently removed himself from consideration entirely.
Strickland said he has no interest in fighting at the White House, remarking he’d rather not “go hang out with the f*cking Epstein list,” referencing Trump and other prominent figures whose names appeared in files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Alex Pereira: A Major Red Flag
Perhaps the most alarming development for White’s “baddest card” vision came from one of the UFC’s biggest active stars.
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira who had aggressively campaigned for a White House showdown with Jones recently posted on social media that it “looks like (the) White House is a NO GO.”
If Pereira is truly out, that removes a massive pay-per-view anchor and raises fresh questions about how many elite-level fights White can realistically secure.
When Will We Know?
With the event set for June 14, don’t expect official bookings until early spring 2026. That’s when the UFC traditionally begins locking in summer headliners—and when White’s boldest promise yet will finally face reality.
Eight or nine title fights may be fantasy. But even half that number, staged on the White House lawn. Would still mark one of the most surreal and politically charged events in combat sports history.
Whether Dana White can deliver on Trump’s expectations remains to be seen. But one thing is already certain: no UFC card has ever carried this much spectacle before a single bout was signed.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
