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Tag: UFC White House

  • Ilia Topuria Calls Out Islam Makhachev, Vows Quick Work at White House

    Ilia Topuria Calls Out Islam Makhachev, Vows Quick Work at White House

    UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria took to social media to blast Islam Makhachev and his manager following the fallout from the UFC White House card announcement, promising a brutal finish of interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14.

    In a lengthy post on X, Topuria claimed he always knew he’d be part of the historic White House event — even when the UFC initially told him he wouldn’t be included — calling it part of the negotiation process. He alleged that he had verbally accepted a fight against Islam Makhachev before the card was announced, only to wake up the next morning and learn that Islam had pulled out citing injury.

    UFC president Dana White subsequently denied that a Topuria vs. Makhachev superfight was ever officially booked for the event, stating the matchup “was never in the works” and that Makhachev is currently nursing a hand injury. White also confirmed that Topuria himself was not originally scheduled to appear on the card.

    With Makhachev out of the picture, the UFC turned to interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje — who secured the interim belt with a unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 — to headline the Freedom Fights 250 event opposite Topuria. The card is set for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House, coinciding with the U.S. 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

    Topuria didn’t mince words about both parties in his post, calling out the managers of Makhachev and Gaethje before turning his attention directly to “The Highlight”: “Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”

    Topuria enters the unification bout with an undefeated 17-0 record and captured the lightweight title with a first-round KO of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

  • Topuria vs. Gaethje, Pereira vs. Gane Headline UFC Freedom 250

    Topuria vs. Gaethje, Pereira vs. Gane Headline UFC Freedom 250

    After months of speculation, the UFC White House card has finally been revealed. And as promised, the card — named UFC Freedom 250 — will be topped by a pair of exciting title fights.

    The card has finally revealed during the UFC 326 main card broadcast.

    In the main event, Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will clash to determine the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

    Topuria, also a former featherweight champion, had been inactive since claiming the title with a knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. A custody case has finally been resolved, however, and he will return as he hoped for.

    Gaethje earned this fight by defeating Paddy Pimblett to become the interim lightweight champion in the main event of UFC 324.

    Meanwhile, Alex Pereira’s vacating of the light heavyweight championship now has a reason — he is going for a chance to become the first UFC fighter to win titles in three weight classes in their career.

    “Poatan” will face Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship in the co-main event.

    Pereira became a two-time light heavyweight champion in his last fight, scoring revenge on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320.

    Gane is a former interim heavyweight champion, claiming such a position by defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. Gane, however, has fallen short twice in becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, losing to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 and Jon Jones at UFC 285.

    The rest of the main card will see Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia.

    The card will begin at 8pm ET on June 14 and take place on the lawn of the White House. As of press time, it will air exclusively on Paramount+.

  • Dana White Teases Two Title Fights, Name For UFC White House Card

    Dana White Teases Two Title Fights, Name For UFC White House Card

    UFC CEO and President Dana White promised that during UFC 326 fight weekend, we would get more information about the UFC event taking place on the lawn of the White House on June 14.

    While no full details have been confirmed as of the evening of March 6, White has posted a tease in anticipation of the card’s reveal.

    The image shared by White on social media shows him holding a paper to block the card listing in the war room of the UFC headquarters. The image teases that the card will be topped by two title fights.

    In addition, the name of the card has been confirmed to be Freedom Fights 250, as the event will be held as part of a year-long celebration for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

    U.S. President Donald Trump first confirmed the event during a U.S. Independence Day event last year, and since then, fighters aplenty, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, have expressed their desire to be part of the event.

    The card has been previously stated to have six or seven fights, rather than a full traditional UFC numbered card lineup. During an interview with Nina Drama, White even teased that one planned fight had just fallen out recently.

  • Jon Jones Confirms Talks to Fight at UFC White House

    Jon Jones Confirms Talks to Fight at UFC White House

    After a whole saga, if both new reports and Jon Jones’ word hold, Jones will get his wish of competing at the UFC White House event.

    A report from Ariel Helwani approximately 24 hours ago claimed that Alex Pereira’s vacating of the UFC light heavyweight championship is due to him moving up to heavyweight. And with that, talks of a bout between him and Jones to serve as the UFC White House main event have been held.

    Hours following Helwani’s report, at a meet and greet at The Brook Casino in New Hampshire, Jones confirmed that he and the UFC have had discussions about competing at the White House.

    “I’m in negotiations with the UFC about this White House [fight] as well,” said Jones. “I’m a very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time.”

    Jones was one of the earliest names who spoke up last summer when U.S. President Donald Trump first hinted at a UFC event taking place on the lawn of the White House.

    It had been just two weeks since Jones retired from the UFC, vacating the UFC heavyweight championship, which was then given to then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Before the White House card announcement, it appeared to be the end of a year-plus-long saga of negotiations between Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White has previously been on the record stating that he considers Jones vs. Aspinall as a “dream main event” for the card, but that he couldn’t trust Jones with the main event slot of the card.

    Jones returned to the UFC after a three-year layoff at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant heavyweight championship. He’s fought just once since, retaining the belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

    White has promised recently that fights for the White House card will be revealed in the coming days.

  • Bo Nickal, Khamzat Chimaev Respond To Colby Covington’s RAF Promo

    Bo Nickal, Khamzat Chimaev Respond To Colby Covington’s RAF Promo

    Colby Covington has always been one to ruffle feathers and stir up drama, but his mic time at RAF 6 has left some of his fellow competitors unimpressed.

    Covington was at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, for the RAF 6 event and took to the mic to ask the crowd who they’d like to see him face off with next.

    Covington polled the crowd on three potential names — Arman Tsarukyan, Kamaru Usman, and Georges St Pierre.

    “I’ve got a couple of names in mind,” Covington said. “How about that little spoiled brat from Armenia, Arman Tsarukyan? What about the trilogy with Marty FakeNewsman? I beat him last time we were in Madison Square Garden. Come to the Real American Freestyle mat, I’m going to beat you here, Marty.

    “And then I got one more name, because there’s nothing more like as an American than beating those Canadians’ a**. Georges St Pierre, where you at?”

    Colby Covington Makes RAF Callouts, Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev Call Him Out

    Even though Covington did not refer to competing next in the Octagon, his comments at the RAF event sparked responses from some of his fellow UFC stars.

    One of those names is Bo Nickal, who has expressed a desire to compete against Covington on the UFC White House card in June.

    Nickal claims the former interim welterweight champion is using RAF to avoid facing off with him in a battle of former NCAA Division-I All-Americans in the Octagon.

    “Colby the clown running scared,” Nickal posted on social media. “He doesn’t want me to embarrass him at the White House. Man up, brother, let’s do it.”

    The promo from Covington also brought out a response from UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who expressed openness in having a showdown with Covington on the wrestling mats.

    “Next RAF, I will make American boy humble again,” Chimaev posted. “Colbiclown let’s go.”

    When asked if he is injured, Chimaev clarified that he is just waiting to figure out a date for a UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland.

    Covington made his RAF debut at RAF 5 in January, defeating Luke Rockhold.

  • Topuria vs. Gaethje Possible For International Fight Week

    Topuria vs. Gaethje Possible For International Fight Week

    After a reported plan to be the main event of the UFC White House card fell through, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship could still get a big stage.

    Per a report from Álvaro Colmenero, a UFC analyst for Eurosport and a Team Topuria insider, there is a growing possibility that the bout between the undisputed and interim 155-pound champions of the UFC may take place at this year’s UFC International Fight Week.

    This report comes hours after Ariel Helwani reported that a heavyweight title fight — vacant or interim to be determined — between Alex Pereira and either Jon Jones or Ciryl Gane could headline the UFC White House card.

    Colmenero took to social media to suggest this was part of the reason Topuria vs. Gaethje fell through for that June 14 special event in Washington, D.C.

    Earlier this week, Colmenero reported (report via Yahoo!) that there have been concerns that Topuria vs. Gaethje might not be selected for the UFC White House card based on the theory that the fight wouldn’t be considered “American” enough for such a special occasion.

    In a stream with Adin Ross (video courtesy of Red Corner MMA), Topuria seemed to dismiss Colmenero’s initial report. Topuria claimed he “hasn’t received the call” for a UFC White House card due to the logistical challenges the UFC has of putting on such a complex spectacle of an event.

    The idea of Pereira competing in the main event of the White House card, however, gained more fuel when the UFC announced that he was vacating the light heavyweight championship. Pereira has entertained the idea of moving up to heavyweight. As mentioned, Pereira’s heavyweight debut in a heavyweight title fight could play a role, Colmenero said, as to why Topuria vs. Gaethje might not happen in June.

    In addition, Helwani’s reporting claimed that there could be a better chance that Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return could take place at International Fight Week instead of UFC White House. If Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines International Fight Week, however, it leaves the scheduling of a potential return fight for McGregor in the air once again.

  • UFC White House To Partially Air On CBS

    UFC White House To Partially Air On CBS

    At least part, if not more, of the UFC White House card is expected to air on broadcast television via CBS and its local affiliates.

    Per a new report from Front Office Sports, there is an expectation that the UFC White House card will have some sort of airing on the main CBS network.

    How much of the card airs on CBS is unknown.

    This report comes just one week before UFC 326, which will air on CBS from 8-10pm ET. This means the final hour of the UFC 326 prelims and the first hour of its main card will air on the channel. The rest of UFC 326 will be exclusive to Paramount+.

    UFC cards on CBS were an expectation following the MMA promotion striking a seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting deal with Paramount, parent company of CBS, this past summer.

    The deal officially began with January’s UFC 324. Reports indicate approximately five million people watched UFC 324, with the streaming service gaining approximately one million subscribers.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White is expected to announce fight information for the White House card in the coming days.

    Though Conor McGregor is unlikely to compete on the card and Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje negotiations have reportedly fallen through, there is a chance Alex Pereira makes his heavyweight debut, fighting for gold, as part of the event.

  • Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones “Being Discussed” For UFC White House

    Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones “Being Discussed” For UFC White House

    It appears that Alex Pereira’s next step will be seeking UFC gold at heavyweight, and that could come true in his next fight, which could be in the main event of the UFC White House card.

    In a new video regarding Pereira vacating the light heavyweight title, Ariel Helwani claims, as many have assumed, the reason for Pereira vacating the championship is that he is being allowed to move up to heavyweight.

    In addition, according to Helwani, there have been discussions about having Pereira vs. Jon Jones taking place as the featured bout of the UFC White House card — either for a would-be vacant heavyweight championship or an interim one.

    Helwani says that this fight is not a guarantee, and there’s not a lot of positive momentum about this fight taking place. It has, however, at least been talked about as a potential idea.

    “Alex Pereira is no longer the light heavyweight champion, and I can tell you right here and now that there have been some talks of him fighting Jon Jones,” Helwani said. “And there have been talks of him fighting Jon Jones on the White House card.

    “Jon Jones on the White House card is not dead, but I could tell you I don’t feel as of right now a ton of positive momentum in that direction. But I’m not here to tell you that it’s dead. There have been talks of this.”

    Helwani adds that if Pereira vs. Jones doesn’t get done, then there are discussions of Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, for what Helwani assumes would be an interim heavyweight championship.

    Whether Pereira’s heavyweight debut features an undisputed or interim heavyweight title at stake will also depend on the status of champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has been sidelined with eye issues since he and Gane’s no-contest at UFC 321 in October.

    Jones has publicly hoped at the possibility of competing in front of U.S. President Donald Trump on the UFC White House card. Jones, in fact, ended his retirement after just two weeks when the opportunity first opened up.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White, however, has previously stated apprehension about Jones being involved in such a card.

    White has also stated he preferred Pereira to stay at light heavyweight, but his stance on that seems to have softened over time.

    Pereira is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He regained the 205-pound title in his last fight, knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in just over a minute at UFC 320.

    A heavyweight title win would make Pereira the first UFC fighter ever to win championships in three different weight classes.

    Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka will fight for the vacated light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327, which takes place on April 11 in Miami.

  • Conor McGregor Unlikely To Compete at UFC White House

    Conor McGregor Unlikely To Compete at UFC White House

    After all the rumors and speculation, it does not seem like Conor McGregor’s UFC return will take place on the UFC White House card.

    This news comes courtesy of Ariel Helwani, who provided an update on plans for the June 14 event in the U.S. national capital, held as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.

    In a video discussing the aftermath of the Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg light heavyweight title fight announcement, Helwani dropped that the chances that McGregor competes in Washington, D.C are not positive.

    That doesn’t mean, Helwani says, that McGregor won’t fight at all in 2026. In fact, Helwani speculates there’s a better chance McGregor competes in the main event of UFC’s International Fight Week event — which he revealed will be on July 11 in Las Vegas.

    “It doesn’t look like it’s going to be Conor on the White House card,” Helwani said. “They have an International Fight Week card scheduled for July 11 in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. There’s a greater chance of him fighting on that card than on the White House card.”

    Could Conor McGregor Fight At International Fight Week in 2026?

    Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s first tease of a UFC event on the White House lawn last summer, several fighters have campaigned to be featured at the event. McGregor, in fact, was one of the very first names.

    McGregor has gone through the process of “unretiring,” and it’s recently been revealed that he has been drug tested three times in the first two months of 2026.

    Helwani, however, explains the UFC probably prefers McGregor compete on a numbered card for the chance to increase profit, attendance figures, and viewership numbers for a card that won’t have the White House’s unique appeal, citing financials.

    “As I’ve told you, there’s no money to be made [from the White House event],” Helwani said. “In fact, they keep touting the fact that there’s money to be lost from the White House event. No one’s crying for them. I think they made like $850 million last year, according to what was released.”

    UFC CEO and President Dana White recently announced he will announce the White House card and its main event in the coming days.

    Michael Chandler has previously advocated for a long-awaited fight with McGregor to take place at UFC White House, but White shot that down in January.

    McGregor and Chandler, after coaching season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, were scheduled to face off at UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew weeks before the event.

    McGregor has been open about fighting even “a no name” to return to the UFC.

    McGregor, who has two fights left on his UFC contract, hasn’t fought since losing his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Since then, he’s had an unsuccessful bid for the Irish presidency and has had sexual assault allegations against him, including being found liable for the rape of Nikita Hand in 2018.

  • Dana White Debunks UFC White House Schedule Change Rumors: ‘Full of SH*T’

    Dana White Debunks UFC White House Schedule Change Rumors: ‘Full of SH*T’

    Dana White recently shot down speculation about a potential schedule change for the landmark UFC White House event, confirming it is still set for June 14, 2026.

    In collaboration with the U.S. government, the UFC has announced a historic, unprecedented event set for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

    Dana White Fires Back At UFC White House Date Change Report

    Controversy erupted after Puck News reported that the UFC had moved its planned June 14 White House event to June 26, a claim quickly echoed by several major MMA outlets and gaining traction online.

    Within hours, Dana White responded on his Instagram Story, shutting down the speculation and confirming there had been no schedule change, with the event still targeted for Sunday, June 14.

    In the same post, the UFC CEO blasted the reports, writing that the “media is so full of sh*t.”

    The UFC head honcho is overseeing the event, which was originally scheduled for July 4th but rescheduled to June for logistical reasons.

    According to TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, the highly anticipated event is expected to feature 6-7 fights and will be simulcast on CBS and Paramount+.

    Attendance will be limited to 3,000-5,000 on the South Lawn due to security, with no public tickets available.

  • Carlos Prates Threatens Conor McGregor After Fight Rumors Flood Social Media: ‘I Would Knock Him Out’

    Carlos Prates Threatens Conor McGregor After Fight Rumors Flood Social Media: ‘I Would Knock Him Out’

    Carlos Prates recently fired shots at Conor McGregor and warned that the former two-division champion would not want the potential fight.

    Prates, the No. 5-ranked welterweight contender with a 6–1 UFC record, stated that he’s open to facing “The Notorious” after social media rumors claimed he had been offered the fight for the June 14 UFC White House card. However, he questioned the logic of the matchup given McGregor’s five-year absence from active competition.

    Despite rumors, “The Nightmare” stated he has not received official communication from the UFC regarding a McGregor fight. He also mentioned former 170-pound champion Jack Della Maddalena as a potential opponent, as he prioritizes fighting for a title shot.

    Carlos Prates Sends Chilling Warning To Conor McGregor

    Carlos Prates recently took to Instagram to address the rumored fight with Conor McGregor, saying the matchup does not make sense right now but warning the Irishman of what would happen if the fight were ever booked.

    “Conor McGregor, to be honest, I think the fight is hard to make happen because Conor McGregor has been out for five years,” Prates said. “He’s been retired from MMA, and after five years away, he would not beg to fight against the most entertaining welterweight in the world. Nothing against him, but everybody knows, and I know he knows, that I would hurt him bad. I would knock him out. So I don’t think it’s the right way to make a comeback for a huge superstar like him.”

    “The Nightmare” recently achieved a stunning knockout victory against former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November.

    Meanwhile, McGregor has been inactive since 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

    “The Notorious” was scheduled to return at UFC 303 in 2024 against Michael Chandler, but withdrew after breaking his toe in training. McGregor recently posted on X that he’s willing to fight a “no-name” opponent for his highly anticipated potential return at UFC White House and asked the promotion to send him a contract.

    Image: @TheNotoriousMMA/X
  • Brandon Moreno Shuts Down Fighting at the White House

    Brandon Moreno Shuts Down Fighting at the White House

    Brandon Moreno made his position crystal clear Wednesday when asked whether he’d want to compete on the UFC’s upcoming White House fight card: he’s not interested. Not even a little.

    During UFC Fight Night media day in Mexico City ahead of his Saturday, February 28 main event bout against Lone’er Kavanagh at Arena CDMX, the two-time flyweight champion was approached by a reporter about the highly anticipated UFC event slated for June 14 at the White House South Lawn.

    Special Event? For Who?

    Brandon Moreno White House reaction

    The exchange was terse and pointed:

    Reporter: “Are you interested in fighting at the White House event?”

    Moreno: “Brother, I want you to tell me — why would I want to fight there?”

    Reporter: “It’s very special.”

    Moreno: “For who? For you?”

    Reporter: “For the company.”

    Moreno: “No. I’m not interested. Thank you.”

    Moreno, a Tijuana native and one of Mexico’s most celebrated UFC stars, currently ranked No. 6 in the flyweight division, did not elaborate further on his reasoning, nor did he need to. The comments come amid a wider wave of professional athletes publicly pushing back against the Trump administration’s policies, particularly ICE immigration enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security.

    Athlete Pushback in Broader Sports World

    Moreno’s comments arrive in a week marked by notable instances of athletes distancing themselves from Trump administration events. The gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team declined an invitation to attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address, citing scheduling and previously committed academic and professional obligations following the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Team USA women’s captain Hilary Knight went further, publicly describing the White House invitation as a “distasteful joke.”

    By contrast, the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team — which also won gold, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime — visited the White House earlier that day before attending the State of the Union, where the team received a bipartisan standing ovation. Trump announced during the speech that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Five members of the men’s team did not attend.

    Moreno’s Fight This Weekend

    Moreno (23-9-2) headlines UFC Fight Night: Mexico City on Saturday, February 28, against short-notice replacement Lone’er Kavanagh (ranked No. 15 at flyweight), who stepped in after original opponent Asu Almabayev withdrew due to injury.

    Moreno enters the bout looking to rebound from a TKO loss to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 in December 2025 — the first stoppage defeat of his career.

  • Bo Nickal Signals He’s Fighting Colby Covington at UFC White House

    Bo Nickal Signals He’s Fighting Colby Covington at UFC White House

    Bo Nickal appears to have publicly signaled his acceptance of a fight with Colby Covington, posting a message on X Friday evening that strongly implies the two fighters are headed for a collision at the UFC’s historic White House card on June 14.

    “I have a lot of respect for Colby Covington as a competitor and someone who never backs down from a challenge,” Nickal wrote, tagging Covington, the UFC, Dana White, and President Donald Trump. “The Real American way. See you soon.”

    The tweet marks a notable shift in tone from Nickal, who had spent recent weeks aggressively calling out Covington after “Chaos” appeared to pivot toward a matchup with Paddy Pimblett instead. As recently as mid-February, Nickal blasted Covington as a “coward” for seemingly dodging the fight, telling him to “man up and take your beating.”

    Bo Nickal vs Colby Covington

    Bo Nickal, Colby Covington

    The rivalry between the two erupted in January at the RAF 5 press conference, where Covington directed several personal jabs at Nickal, questioning his career trajectory and MMA acumen. After defeating Luke Rockhold at the event, Covington hinted at a move to middleweight — only to later reverse course and declare he preferred to remain at 170 pounds, citing a desire to face a non-American opponent on the patriotic card.

    Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion currently competing at middleweight, had previously identified Covington as his top target for the event.

    “A matchup with Colby makes a lot of sense, especially considering how the last RAF event unfolded,” Nickal told MMA Fighting earlier this month. “This feels like the fight that needs to happen.”

    The UFC’s White House event — set for the South Lawn on Flag Day, June 14, also President Trump’s 80th birthday, is reported to already be finalized internally. Dana White confirmed last week that the card is complete, though no official bouts have been announced.

    It remains to be seen whether Nickal vs. Covington has been formally booked or whether Friday’s tweet represents Nickal’s public acceptance of an offer currently in the works. Neither the UFC nor Covington’s camp has issued a response as of publication.

  • Islam Makhachev Rules Out Ilia Topuria Fight at UFC White House

    Islam Makhachev Rules Out Ilia Topuria Fight at UFC White House

    Islam Makhachev has clarified that a superfight with Ilia Topuria will not be happening at the UFC’s planned White House event in June, citing that the featherweight champion already has another opponent lined up.

    Speaking to Russian outlet MatchTV, the welterweight champion stated there “definitely won’t be a fight with Topuria at the White House” because “he already has an opponent.”

    The comments walk back Makhachev’s own public enthusiasm for the matchup just days prior, when he said he “liked” the idea and was “ready” if the UFC wanted to make it happen.

    The UFC is targeting a historic card at the White House on June 14, 2026, a date that coincides with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. UFC CEO Dana White has called it potentially the promotion’s most-watched event ever.

    Makhachev had previously expressed interest in competing on the card, noting the timing aligns well with his post-Ramadan training schedule. However, reports have consistently pointed to Topuria being booked against another opponent at lightweight — with Justin Gaethje’s interim title situation frequently mentioned in connection with the show.

    Makhachev has also questioned the legacy value of a Topuria fight if it required him to drop back down to lightweight again, suggesting his focus is on defending against top welterweight contenders going forward.

    The Makhachev-Topuria superfight remains a compelling long-term possibility, but it won’t be materializing on the White House card.

    Just days ago …

  • Sean O’Malley Still Awaiting Call for UFC White House Card

    Sean O’Malley Still Awaiting Call for UFC White House Card

    Sean O’Malley revealed he hasn’t received any communication from the UFC regarding the historic White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026. The former bantamweight champion shared his uncertainty on social media, stating he hasn’t gotten a call about the highly anticipated card.

    “I haven’t got a call, I haven’t heard nothing,” O’Malley said. “Suga Show might not be on the White House.”

    The revelation comes despite O’Malley’s recent unanimous decision victory over Song Yadong at UFC 324 in January, where he bounced back from consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili. Following that win, O’Malley called for a rematch against current bantamweight champion Petr Yan, specifically targeting the White House event.

    White House Card Still Shrouded in Mystery

    O’Malley’s comments highlight the broader confusion surrounding the June 14 card, which remains without a single officially announced fight. UFC President Dana White confirmed in early February that matchmaking meetings were underway, stating fights would be “dialed in by this weekend.” However, no official announcements have followed.

    The UFC White House card is expected to feature approximately 6-7 fights on the South Lawn, with 3,000-4,000 live spectators and an additional 85,000 fans watching from The Ellipse on large screens. The event will stream on Paramount+ as part of the UFC’s $7.7 billion broadcast deal.

    O’Malley’s Championship Path

    Currently ranked #3 in the bantamweight division, O’Malley lost his championship to Dvalishvili twice in 2025 — first by unanimous decision at UFC 306, then by submission at UFC 316. His victory over Yadong at UFC 324 marked his return to the win column and potentially positioned him for another title opportunity.

    A showdown with Yan at the White House would represent a significant redemption opportunity for O’Malley, who previously defeated “No Mercy” at UFC 280 in October 2022. That victory ultimately led to his championship reign, making a White House rematch particularly meaningful for the polarizing star.

    With only four months until the historic event and zero confirmed matchups, the UFC’s silence continues to fuel speculation about which fighters will make the exclusive card. Whether O’Malley receives that call remains to be seen.

  • Nate Diaz Calls Out McGregor, Poirier & Perry For UFC White House

    Nate Diaz Calls Out McGregor, Poirier & Perry For UFC White House

    Nate Diaz has made his intentions clear: he wants back in “real action” and has his sights set on three potential opponents for the historic UFC White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026. In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 40-year-old Stockton native didn’t hold back when discussing his return plans.

    “I’m ready to get back in real action. I want to fight either McGregor, maybe Dustin Poirier if he stops being such a p*ssy, and maybe Mike Perry.”

    The callout comes as UFC President Dana White finalizes the fight card for the unprecedented White House event, which will take place on the South Lawn and coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

    Dana White confirmed this week that the six-to-seven fight card is already built and will meet with President Trump this week to finalize production plans.

    Diaz Praises Jake Paul, Confirms White House Interest

    Diaz also commented on Jake Paul’s recent performance against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, praising Paul for taking on the toughest challenge of his career.

    “He’s doing a great job,” Diaz said of Paul, who lost via sixth-round knockout on December 19, 2025, suffering a double broken jaw in the process. Diaz previously defeated Paul by majority decision in their July 2023 boxing match.

    When asked about the UFC White House event, Diaz expressed clear enthusiasm for the opportunity.

    “Yeah, that’d be dope, to. America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”

    The fighter emphasized his desire for a legitimate MMA contest rather than another exhibition bout, stating he wants a “real fight” for the “right price.”

    Three Names, One Stage

    The most obvious matchup is the long-awaited trilogy with Conor McGregor. The two legends split their 2016 encounters, with Diaz submitting McGregor at UFC 196 before losing the rematch at UFC 202. McGregor has confirmed his participation in the White House event and hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Poirier in July 2021.

    Diaz’s callout of Dustin Poirier escalates a feud that dates back years. Poirier retired in July 2025 after losing to Max Holloway at UFC 318, but still has multiple fights remaining on his UFC contract. The former interim lightweight champion has struggled with retirement and recently teased a comeback, specifically mentioning Diaz as a potential opponent for Zuffa Boxing.

    The wild card is “Platinum” Mike Perry, now a free agent after starring in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Diaz’s emphasis on wanting a “real fight” for the “right price” suggests he’s prioritizing a UFC return over other formats.

  • Colby Covington Wants Paddy Pimblett at UFC White House

    Colby Covington Wants Paddy Pimblett at UFC White House

    Colby Covington is actively negotiating with the UFC to secure a spot on the promotion’s unprecedented White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026. The historic card will take place on the South Lawn of the White House, coinciding with both the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

    For Covington, a vocal Trump supporter, competing at the White House would represent the pinnacle of his fighting career. During his appearance on Hot Cakes & Hot Takes, he said:

    “I’ve been negotiating with the UFC for the White House card. You know, that’s the one that I want,” Covington said. “This would be the biggest fight I’ve ever had. To fight on the south lawn in front of the President would be the greatest honor of my career.”​

    Recent Fighting Activity

    Covington enters these negotiations coming off a difficult loss at UFC Tampa in December 2024, where he was defeated by Joaquin Buckley via third-round TKO due to doctor’s stoppage. The loss marked a setback for the former interim welterweight champion, who holds a 17-5 overall MMA record.​

    During his UFC inactivity, Covington remained active by competing in a Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match against former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at RAF 5 in January 2026. The crossover wrestling event allowed Covington to showcase his NCAA Division I All-American wrestling credentials.​

    Potential Matchup

    Covington has identified Paddy Pimblett as his ideal opponent for the White House card, envisioning an American versus British rivalry that would resonate with the patriotic nature of the event.

    “I’d really like to fight with Paddy Pimblett. He had shown interest that he might want to come up a weight class to welterweight,” Covington explained.​

    The matchup would require Pimblett, who typically competes at lightweight (155 pounds), to move up to welterweight (170 pounds). Covington believes this makes sense given Pimblett’s significant weight cuts, noting that the Liverpool fighter “weighs 200 [pounds]” between fights.

    McGregor Fight Ruled Out

    While speculation had swirled about various high-profile matchups for the White House event, UFC President Dana White has definitively shut down rumors of Covington facing Conor McGregor. White called such speculation “total BS” and indicated that official matchmaking meetings were underway.​

    Event Details

    The UFC White House card will feature six to seven fights with a capacity of 3,000-4,000 attendees on the South Lawn. The event will be simulcast on CBS and Paramount+. Weigh-ins are expected to take place at the Lincoln Memorial.

  • Islam Makhachev Open to Ilia Topuria Fight, White House Card

    Islam Makhachev Open to Ilia Topuria Fight, White House Card

    Islam Makhachev says he is ready for whatever matchup the UFC gives him next, including a potential fight with Ilia Topuria and a possible appearance on a White House card.

    In an exclusive interview with Telegraf.rs, Makhachev addressed the current title picture and made it clear he is waiting on the promotion’s decision for his next assignment.

    “Now in my division there are enough contenders who deserve to fight for the title. The UFC has to give me a new target, that’s it, I’m just waiting.”

    Makhachev Responds To Topuria Matchup Talk

    A potential fight between Makhachev and Topuria has become one of the most discussed ideas among MMA fans in recent weeks. Asked directly about that matchup, Makhachev gave a straightforward answer.

    “I like this idea. If the UFC wants it, and I know a lot of MMA fans want this fight, I’m ready.”

    The comments come as Topuria has also returned to the spotlight, with recent coverage focusing on his next move in the UFC title mix. MMA News recently covered Topuria signaling his UFC return.

    White House Option Also On The Table

    Makhachev also addressed the possibility of competing on a UFC event at the White House, another topic that has generated major attention across the sport.

    “It is also one of the arenas where maybe I’m going to fight next. We have the Ramadan month so I will not train for a month and after that I will slowly begin my training camp and I will be ready. [Whether it’s] the White House or other dates, I’ll be ready.”

    That timeline points to a post-Ramadan return to camp before he locks in an official date. MMA News has also reported that UFC White House matchmaking is underway, adding more intrigue to where Makhachev could appear next.

    For now, Makhachev’s position is simple: he is waiting for the UFC’s call, but he is openly on board with both a Topuria showdown and a White House setting.

  • UFC White House Card to Be Finalized This Weekend

    UFC White House Card to Be Finalized This Weekend

    UFC President Dana White has confirmed that matchmaking for the historic White House fight card is officially underway, with fights expected to be finalized by this weekend.

    White responded to speculation about the June 14 event on Instagram, clarifying that the official matchmaking meeting begins today with UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard flying in specifically for the session.

    “White House matchmaking meeting is tomorrow. Mick Maynard flying in tomorrow for it. We will have fights dialed in by this weekend,” White stated.

    According to Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, the White House card will feature approximately six to seven fights rather than a traditional full UFC lineup.

    The event is scheduled for the White House South Lawn with an expected live attendance of 3,000 to 4,000 people.

    The limited number of bouts has fueled speculation about which fighters will make the exclusive card, with names like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Ilia Topuria, and Colby Covington in mix for possible spots on the card.

    The June 14 event represents an unprecedented moment in combat sports and United States history.

  • Donald Trump, Dana White Expected To Host Pre-Fight Dinner With World Leaders In Lead Up To UFC White House Card

    Donald Trump, Dana White Expected To Host Pre-Fight Dinner With World Leaders In Lead Up To UFC White House Card

    While plans are still being discussed and yet to be revealed for the UFC White House event next summer, it sounds like U.S. President Donald Trump will not be the only VIP from the political world present.

    Per a new report from Variety, which discusses the start of David Ellison’s time with Paramount, a pre-fight dinner is expected to be held by Trump and UFC CEO and President Dana White at some point in the lead up to the card.

    The report notes that “dignitaries from around the world will attend a dinner and then head to the Octagon, the eight-sided ring where the main event will play out. Trump and UFC CEO Dana White are spearheading the telecast.”

    The targeted date of the event is Sunday, June 14, 2026, to coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday. That date, however, is not set firm at this time.

    Dinner With Dignitaries Expected As Part Of UFC White House Festivities

    The UFC event on the White House lawn is to be a part of a series of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

    Trump first announced the plans for this card during a speech this past July 4th, with the UFC confirming plans to hold such a festivity. White has been adamant about this card going down as one of the biggest in the history of the promotion — promising several big names to be a part of the event.

    Fighters such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have put their names in the hat to potentially headline the card.

    The event will reportedly have a limited in-person audience and is presumed to be one of the CBS-broadcasted cards as part of the new UFC-Paramount broadcasting deal that begins in 2026.

  • Jon Jones Tells Alex Pereira He’d Be Honored To Fight Him At UFC White House, Both Rip Tom Aspinall After UFC 321 No Contest

    Jon Jones Tells Alex Pereira He’d Be Honored To Fight Him At UFC White House, Both Rip Tom Aspinall After UFC 321 No Contest

    After the events of UFC 321, you knew Jon Jones was going to make his voice heard. And he did so in a way that was equal parts subtle as it was blatant.

    The UFC 321 heavyweight championship main event featuring Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest after Aspinall was left unable to continue due to a double eye poke. In the hours since, the MMA community has been in debate over if Gane is at fault for the eye pokes or if Aspinall wanted a way out of the fight.

    Jones has given his answer, changing photos on his social media accounts to rubber ducks with eye patches.

    This was a clap back and nod to UFC London earlier this year. There, Aspinall was in the crowd and held up a rubber duck to the camera, implying that Jones was ducking him in the negotiations for an undisputed title fight between the two that ultimately fell through.

    Jon Jones Sends Dig To Tom Aspinall, Wants To Fight Alex Pereira At UFC White House

    Jones wasn’t done, however. A few hours after the end of the card, Jones directed a post on X (formerly Twitter) toward Alex Pereira, putting out the idea of the two facing off at the UFC White House card this coming June.

    “Alex, I’d be down to bring the highest skill level to the White House,” Jones said in the post. “I appreciate the respect you showed, let’s dance.”

    This was in response to Pereira’s own reaction to the UFC 321 conclusion. In an Instagram post, Pereira can be seen shaking his head with a smirk as he walked away from his TV screen.

    The post was captioned with a message toward Jones, asking for the two of them to “make the heavyweight division great again.”

    Both circumstances, however, will have to go through the mind of someone who has been against both. UFC CEO and President Dana White has previously stated that he doesn’t want Jones competing at the UFC White House card and that he doesn’t have an interest in Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight.

  • Conor McGregor Accepts 18-Month Sanction For Violating UFC Anti-Doping Policy Amid Comeback Talks

    Conor McGregor Accepts 18-Month Sanction For Violating UFC Anti-Doping Policy Amid Comeback Talks

    Conor McGregor is serving a suspension, but it won’t stop his planned UFC return.

    The former two-division UFC champion has emphatically pledged to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon after a hiatus of more than four years, setting his sights on the MMA promotion’s special White House event on June 14, 2026, celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.

    “The Notorious” has disclosed that he has already rejoined the drug testing pool and is seriously weighing a showdown with his Ultimate Fighter Season 33 rival coach, Michael Chandler, a fight that was originally slated for UFC 303 in June 2024 but fell through due to a toe injury.

    McGregor has received an 18-month suspension for breaching the UFC anti-doping policy, but it won’t stand in the way of his anticipated comeback.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: ESPN.com

    Conor McGregor Receives 18-Month Ineligibility After Failing To Submit Samples Three Times In 2024

    On Tuesday, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), the body responsible for overseeing the UFC’s anti-doping program, announced that Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month competition ban following multiple failures to provide the testing samples required under UFC rules.

    The reported whereabouts failures occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024. UFC-contracted fighters are obligated to keep their locations updated to allow testing agents to conduct random, unannounced drug tests. According to CSAD, McGregor failed to meet this requirement.

    CSAD also noted that “The Notorious” actively cooperated with the investigation and acknowledged his responsibility for the violations. As a result, the agency reduced the standard 24-month sanction by six months. McGregor’s suspension officially began on September 20, 2024, the date of his third missed test, and ends on March 20, 2026.

    “McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC,” the statement read. “McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests… Taking McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months.”

    Conor McGregor was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he endured a broken leg early in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. The Irish star boasts a UFC record of 10-4, with eight of his wins coming by way of knockout.

    UFC Superstar Conor McGregor Announces Withdrawal From His 2025 Irish Presidential Bid After 'Careful Reflection'
    Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram
  • Conor McGregor Promises Six-Month Isolation To Prepare For Potential Comeback At UFC White House Event – ‘I’m Eager To Get Back’

    Conor McGregor Promises Six-Month Isolation To Prepare For Potential Comeback At UFC White House Event – ‘I’m Eager To Get Back’

    Conor McGregor has vowed to make intense preparations for his anticipated UFC comeback.

    McGregor has reiterated his strong commitment to make his long-awaited return to active competition, targeting the UFC’s scheduled White House event in June 2026, which is planned to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

    “The Notorious” has previously revealed that he has already re-entered the drug testing pool and is seriously considering a clash with his Ultimate Fighter Season 33 rival coach, Michael Chandler.

    The former two-division UFC champion was set to face Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, but was forced to pull out of the bout after suffering a broken pinky toe.

    Conor McGregor & Michael Chandler
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Conor McGregor Announces Six-Month Focus Period To Prepare For Octagon Return

    During a pre-fight media interaction for BKFC 82 last Wednesday, Conor McGregor shared his thoughts on a potential return to the Octagon at the UFC White House event, emphasizing that he’s fully committed and laser-focused on putting in the work needed to make it a reality.

    “I have eight months and change out to the White House event,” McGregor said. “It’s a six-month operation. I consider it a six-month operation to get ready for this bout, and that’s my focus right now. I’m just eager to climb the steps into being ready for my return. There’s a lot at stake, and I’m very excited at the opportunity.

    “I was right there with my last one. I was in incredible condition, incredibly well-prepared. Just a slight lapse in concentration led to an injury. I wish to correct that and show what I’m about, and that’s it. I’m eager to get back, and we’ll see what the future holds after that.”

    “The Notorious” further reiterated that for his anticipated comeback to be successful, he plans to undergo a six-month period of isolation from the public eye, dedicating himself entirely to training and preparation.

    “There will be a period of isolation for sure where the phone will not be answered,” Conor McGregor said. “All my people involved with me understand it is coming. As I said, it’s a six-month operation. I’m under no illusion of what lies ahead of me in my preparation efforts. So, the phone will be switched off, and the work will be executed.”

    Conor McGregor hasn’t stepped into the Octagon in over four years, with his last fight taking place at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg early in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. The Irishman holds a UFC record of 10-4, with eight of those victories coming by knockout.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: UFC.com
  • “Nothing Is Done Yet” – Dana White Disputes Conor McGregor’s Claims About Being Signed For UFC White House Card

    “Nothing Is Done Yet” – Dana White Disputes Conor McGregor’s Claims About Being Signed For UFC White House Card

    UFC CEO and President Dana White is telling the world to hold their horses in regards to Conor McGregor’s claims that he is locked in for the UFC White House event in June.

    At the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, White was asked about recent claims made by McGregor, who has gone around various media outlets to promote the UFC White House event and seemingly confirming his participation in it.

    While White has previously teased McGregor fighting at the event, he says that nothing is set in stone. In fact, he isn’t even thinking about laying out a full card with participants just yet.

    “We’re still talking about the production and how everything is going to work at the White House,” White said. “We have not started negotiating any fights for the White House yet. That won’t even start till February.

    “I made it clear: Conor wants to fight on that card, and you can clearly see Conor is fired up to fight on that card, but nothing is done yet.”

    Dana White Says Conor McGregor Isn’t Signed For UFC White House Yet

    Though not everyone believes in what he says, McGregor has appeared on various mainstream programs over the last week or so, claiming that a deal for him to return to the Octagon in Washington, D.C. is “signed and delivered.”

    McGregor, in fact, doubled down on his claims and says that he is communicating and negotiating directly with U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States government to appear at the event.

    This has led to plenty of skepticism about his claims, and White pushed back against this as well in his remarks.

    “No fights are being negotiated with the White House,” White said.

    McGregor has previously posted what seemed to be his demands to compete on the card — $100 million and 100 of the new “Gold Cards” Trump is introducing.

    McGregor has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264; however, he re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool earlier this year.

  • $100 Million And 100 “Golden Visas” – Conor McGregor Laying Out Demand To Fight At UFC White House?

    $100 Million And 100 “Golden Visas” – Conor McGregor Laying Out Demand To Fight At UFC White House?

    Conor McGregor is seemingly in preparations to compete at the UFC White House card next summer, but did he just post a demand he needs to see for that to be met?

    It appeared that McGregor would never compete in the Octagon ever again given the amount of money and brand he’s made over the years. But since U.S. President Donald Trump and the UFC first started teasing the idea of a UFC card on the White House lawn — in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States — there arguably has been no fighter who has done more advocating to compete on the card than McGregor.

    In a post on social media, however, McGregor appeared to state that he was looking for a $100 million payday to compete on the special UFC card in Washington D.C. He would also be looking for 100 “Golden Visas” in the U.S. for his family and friends.

    “I look very forward to entertaining the fighting world once again,” McGregor added in his social media post. “A pleasure I never take for granted!”

    Conor McGregor Wants $100 Million And 100 Golden Visas To Compete At UFC White House?

    The “Golden Visa” McGregor may be referring to is a newly announced “Gold Card” plan by U.S. President Trump that would see residency and citizenship given to those who gift $1 million ($2 million for corporations) to the U.S. government’s Department of Commerce.

    This would mark a departure from the country’s EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which saw foreign investors qualify to become lawful U.S. residents by making “the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States” and planning “to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.”

    McGregor teased a bid for the Ireland presidency earlier this year before withdrawing. McGregor is no strange to controversy over his UFC career; however, he’s come under fire in particular over the last year, thanks to being found civilly liable of the rape of Nikita Hand in a hotel room in December 2018.

    McGregor has not competed in the Octagon since his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier. He was scheduled to face Michael Chandler, his opposing coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, at UFC 303 last year before pulling out of the fight less than one month prior to the card.

    McGregor recently teased on Fox and Friends, however, that a fight with Chandler would be the headline fight for UFC White House.