The UFC is set to make a historic move by heading to the White House in 2026, with UFC President Dana White gearing up to present his plans for this unprecedented event to President Donald Trump. Just a week ago, Trump surprised everyone with an announcement expressing his desire to host a UFC event on the White House grounds as part of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. While White wasn’t in the loop about Trump’s plans before they were unveiled, he’s fired up about the challenge ahead.
In an appearance on the Full Send podcast, White explained the whirlwind of communications exchanged with the President on the day of the announcement. “That day we texted four or five times… he never told me he was going to announce it,” White shared. They had already been busy mapping out logistics and designs for the event, getting ready to pitch the concept to Trump in the near future. He’ll be joined by Ivanka Trump and his production head, Craig Borsari, for this crucial meeting.
With Trump aiming to create a true celebration for America’s 250th birthday, White couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the opportunity for the UFC. He praised Trump’s vision for rejuvenating the White House experience, recalling traditional events like Easter egg hunts. “He wants the American people to enjoy the White House… he loves the sport, so he wants to do a UFC event there. Why would we say no to that?” White said, capturing the excitement that surrounds this potential event.
However, the logistics of promoting an event at such a significant and secure venue certainly won’t be a walk in the park. White admitted the challenges are considerable. He has experience dealing with security protocols, having worked closely with the Secret Service at previous UFC events where Trump has been present. Yet the prospect of hosting a fight against the backdrop of iconic landmarks like the White House and the Washington Monument adds an electric thrill to the idea, one that White describes as “unique” and “bad ass.”
While this event is still a year away, the excitement is palpable. Although ticket sales might be limited—likely to an invite-only model featuring comped tickets—interest from fighters has surged. The moment Trump suggested hosting UFC in the White House, numerous athletes started expressing their eagerness to be part of this landmark card. White, brimming with anticipation, promised fans a lineup that would surpass anything the UFC has ever put together. “We’re a year away, so the whole UFC landscape will change over the next year. We’ll see where we’re at. We will absolutely, positively put on the baddest card of all time… this is going to be like an exceptional pay-per-view card,” he declared.
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, the MMA world buzzed with excitement, particularly around the recent retirement of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Just two weeks into retirement, Jones has declared his intention to compete again and has officially re-entered the UFC’s anti-doping program, aiming for a chance to fight at the White House. According to White, Jones has taken necessary steps to ensure his return to the octagon, and there’s potential for a long-awaited matchup against Tom Aspinall, which he described as “the dream main event.”
The name Conor McGregor also emerged during discussions about possible matchups, and White kept the door open for the possibility of McGregor returning to action alongside Jones, which could make for a historic night in the octagon.
As the UFC prepares to lay the groundwork for this momentous event, it’s clear that the journey to July 2026 will be filled with thrilling developments, both inside the octagon and behind the scenes as the organization works through the logistics of this unprecedented affair. Fans and fighters alike will be watching closely as the UFC gears up for an event that promises to be etched in history.
