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A historic event takes shape
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed he is heading to Washington this week for a face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump to push forward plans for a UFC event on the White House front lawn in June. The fight card forms part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and, according to White, the lineup is already locked in.
TKO Group Holdings CEO Ari Emanuel, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, revealed the event will feature six or seven bouts — roughly half the scale of a standard numbered pay-per-view card. White and UFC chief content officer Craig Borsari will use their Washington meetings to finalise production logistics, including a choice between three different broadcast presentation options.
Who could be fighting?
No official fighter announcements have been made, but speculation is already running hot among fans. The most discussed possibility is a lightweight title unification bout between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria. Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight title with a victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, while Topuria — the reigning champion — stepped away from competition in late 2025 to deal with a personal matter, but has since reportedly returned to training.
Conor McGregor’s name has also been floated, as it inevitably is ahead of any marquee UFC event. The Irishman has previously expressed interest in competing at the White House, though his publicly stated price tag of $100 million makes his inclusion far from straightforward.
Not everyone is convinced
Retired welterweight Matt Brown offered a more sceptical take, suggesting the UFC may struggle to deliver on the enormous expectations surrounding the event. Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown argued that the promotion no longer commands the same star power it once did, and was blunt in his assessment that McGregor will not be on the card — regardless of what either he or White might imply publicly. In Brown’s view, McGregor’s name is being used primarily as a promotional tool rather than a genuine indicator of his involvement.
The stage is set — details to follow
With preparations underway for months and the White House firmly committed to hosting the event, the pieces are falling into place. An official fight card announcement is expected soon, and when it comes, it will likely be one of the most talked-about lineups in UFC history — whether it lives up to the billing or not.
