The MMA world is buzzing after Donald Trump sensationally revealed that there could be as many as nine title fights on the UFC’s proposed White House card next year.
The UFC is set to make a historic appearance at the White House on the US President’s birthday, June 14, 2026, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
UFC boss Dana White, who is a long-time friend of Trump, has described the logistics of organising this massive event as “insane”.
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Some of MMA’s biggest names, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, are eyeing comeback fights on the card, with White claiming it will deliver the greatest lineup of talent in the promotion’s history.
President Trump has now claimed that as many as nine of the UFC’s eleven titles could be on the line at the one-off event – more than doubling the existing record of three title bouts on a single card.
“It’s going to be June 14 next year,” Trump told the press.
“The great Dana White is building an arena, and they’re going to have eight or nine championship fights.
“The biggest fights they’ve ever had, everyone’s a championship fight, and everyone is a legendary type of fight.
“[White’s] actually holding back fights right now for six months so he can do it for 250.
“I think 250 is going to be amazing. The arena is going to be 5,000-6,000 seats right in front of the front door of the White House.
“And 100,000 people in the back, where they’re putting up eight or 10 great big screens.
“That’s going to be an exciting night, so many people are asking for tickets for the UFC.”
The event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House and seat around 5,000
people. According to White, there will be additional viewing near the White House that could seat an additional 80,000.
White says that he will not finalise matchups for the event until February, despite some of the sport’s biggest stars continuing to campaign to feature on the card.
However, White hinted that UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis will likely be on the card if he wins his next fight.
Speaking after Sunday’s UFC 323 event, he was asked if Paramount are ready for a Lewis victory speech, as the fan-favourite is known for his colourful interviews.
White fired back:: “Is the White House ready for Derrick Lewis?”
White went on to reveal that Trump is a huge fan of the all-time UFC knockout leader.
“President Trump loves Derrick Lewis,” White said. “Loves Derrick Lewis and he hasn’t told me to do anything. He will not stop talking about Derrick Lewis, so it’s a big fight for Derrick coming up.”
Lewis, who hasn’t fought since his win over Tallison Teixeira in July, returns to the Octagon at UFC 324 where he will be facing heavy-hitter Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
UFC icon Conor McGregor is also expected to make his long-awaited return at the event, having not stepped in the Octagon since breaking his leg more than four years ago.
The Irishman’s coach, John Kavanagh, said recently that McGregor has asked him to put together a training plan for a June comeback.
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UFC champ Alex Pereira also wants to fight at the event on his quest to become the promotion’s first three-weight chmpion.
He stated last week that he is interested in superfights against both Jon Jones and current heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall.
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