A Complete Wishlist for UFC at the White House

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Yes, you read that right. President Donald Trump announced plans to host a UFC fight on the White House lawn as part of the celebration for America’s 250th birthday in 2026. The moment was surreal, and yet, in true Trump fashion, entirely on brand.

A UFC White House Card?

During a kickoff event in Iowa for the America 250 celebrations, Trump shared that he’s seriously considering holding a full UFC fight on the White House grounds with 20,000 to 25,000 spectators.

It’s a wild proposition, but not entirely unexpected. Trump has become a fixture at UFC events, often seen cageside and showered with applause. His close friendship with UFC President Dana White is well-documented, and he’s built a strong rapport with several fighters across the years.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump was “dead serious” about the plan.

So… UFC on the South Lawn? This is really happening.

Fighters With Ties to Trump

If the UFC is really stepping onto the White House lawn, the fighters involved need to reflect the red, white, and blue. The promotion has missed the mark before, like Noche UFC which was headlined by an American and a Georgian. Let’s not repeat that here. Fortunately, there’s a long list of stars who’ve vocally supported Trump, and some who’ve even shared the stage with him.

Names Likely in the Mix:

Colby Covington: The obvious choice. MAGA hat, walkout rants, full-on Trump persona. If there’s a Trump card, Colby’s on it.
Henry Cejudo: Olympic gold medalist and former champ-champ. He even spoke at a Trump rally. Safe bet.
Michael Chandler: One of the loudest fighters in support of Trump. He’s the embodiment of American hustle and pride.
Bo Nickal: Wrestling prodigy who met Trump and proudly reps his support. Rising star with massive potential.

Maybe, Maybe Not:

Sean Strickland: Though once considered a lock, his recent criticism of Trump may keep him off the card. UFC might not want the smoke.
Jorge Masvidal: Retired, but a Trump loyalist and fan favorite. Could the White House be the place for one last BMF moment?

What a White House UFC Card Could Look Like

There are a million possibilities here, but one thing is clear — this card should be unapologetically American. From the fighters to the commentators to the walkout music.

The Blueprint:

All-American lineup, no exceptions
National anthem performed live (think country star or military choir)
A title fight main event, ideally with President Trump wrapping the belt around the winner
Bruce Buffer in a red, white, and blue suit, screaming “IIIIIIIT’S TIIIIIIME” across the National Lawn
Military flyover to kick off the event
A moment to honor American MMA history, similar to Noche UFC’s celebration of Mexican heritage

Potential Title Fights:

BMF Title Defense: If Dustin Poirier wins it at UFC 318 and walks away with the belt, this could be his send-off fight on the most American stage possible.
- Max Holloway a Lock? If Holloway wins the BMF title, he could be a lock for the event. Especially given his popularity and all-American fighting spirit.
- A New Weight Class? Maybe the BMF gets defended at welterweight for the first time, with someone like Masvidal or Chandler stepping in.
Kayla Harrison’s Moment? The only American UFC champ at the moment, she could defend… Unless her planned superfight with Amanda Nunes gets locked in.
Joshua Van vs. Pantoja? Van is next in line for a title should. With Pantoja still champ, this could be an exciting U.S. vs. Brazil matchup worth showcasing on such a historic card.
Jon Jones Returns? Could the UFC’s GOAT come out of retirement for one final walk to the Octagon on the White House lawn?
Introducing a U.S. Title? What better time to debut a special one-off United States Championship than at the White House? Think WWE vibes… Red, white, and blue branding with bragging rights on the line. It could feature two top-ranked Americans battling for patriotic glory.

The Dream Wish List

If this historic event is going to happen, and happen right, here’s what needs to be on the checklist:

100% American fighters
100% American commentary team
Trump cageside and wrapping the belt around the winner
Bruce Buffer in stars and stripes
At least one title on the line
A special tribute to American MMA legends
Fighter walkouts with military or patriotic themes
Military presence — whether it’s a color guard, flyover, or a performance
American-made octagon setup, never-before-seen production

UFC at the White House isn’t just a wild idea. It could shape up to be one of the most surreal events in sports history. With the power of Trump’s influence, Dana White’s production muscle, and a roster full of patriotic fighters ready to go to war, this could be an all-time moment for MMA.

America turns 250 in 2026. And apparently, it’s celebrating with a scrap.

So get your fight night festivities ready.

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About Post Author

Joey Torres

Joey Torres is a Co-Founder of The Scrap, and a dedicated storyteller with a passion for Pro Wrestling and Combat Sports. With a Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business & Technology from the University of Southern California, Joey combines creativity and branding to bring compelling stories to life while bringing refreshingly original content to the world of sports media.

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