The planned UFC event at the White House on June 14 continues to draw national attention as new details emerge about attendance limits, the fight card structure, and disputes involving several high-profile fighters and UFC CEO Dana White.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, White confirmed plans for what he described as the most expensive event in company history, exceeding the $20 million spent on the Las Vegas fight night hosted at the Sphere. Now, some crucial updates about the scale and scope have emerged, along with fresh controversy over which UFC superstars will actually be on the card.
Recent comments from UFC executives and President Donald Trump have created questions about the event’s scale. TKO Group Holdings CEO Ari Emanuel said during a February appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that attendance on the White House South Lawn would likely be limited to approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people due to security restrictions.
President Trump said during a January 30 White House event that organizers plan to accommodate more than 100,000 people. “UFC is coming as you know in front of the White House,” Trump declared during a January press conference. “They’re building literally a stadium. We’re going to have over 100,000 people.”
It remains unclear whether a temporary stadium structure will be built or whether the larger figure includes additional spectators expected to gather at The Ellipse nearby.
Emanuel also said the White House card will feature six to seven fights, a smaller lineup than typical major UFC events. The limited number of bouts has intensified competition, with dozens of UFC fighters publicly campaigning for a place at the event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
White said matchmaking began in early February, and no headliners have been officially confirmed as of press time.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has publicly expressed interest in competing at the White House event. However, in early February, TMZ Sports published audio of a private conversation in which Jones said he suffers from severe arthritis in his left hip and qualifies for hip replacement surgery.
“I have severe arthritis, and most people don’t know that,” Jones said, per TMZ Sports. “My left hip is covered in arthritis. I actually already qualify for hip replacement.”
Despite the troubling health update, Jones has publicly said multiple times that he is determined to fight at the White House, calling it the only fight worth enduring the pain one last time. However, White has repeatedly made clear that Jones will not be part of the card, citing trust issues stemming from Jones’s decision to turn down a $30 million offer to fight interim champion Tom Aspinall before retiring.
“I had a deal with him. We had a deal to fight Tom Aspinall. Then he said, ‘You know what, I’m not going to do it.’ I can’t be in that position,” White said during a podcast appearance with comedian Andrew Schulz in November. The UFC boss later gave Jones “a billion-to-one” chance of appearing on the White House card.
Conor McGregor, the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC history, also seems to be campaigning to fight at the White House, regardless of a similarly long break since his last fight.
Regardless, the Irish superstar confirmed in late January that he has begun training camp for the event and expects to return to the octagon in top form after nearly five years since his last competitive fight.
McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh told Uncrowned in early February that the fighter and his team are “100% in” and training as if the White House fight is confirmed, “He’s showing up again. He’s back in the gym most mornings, early.”
Yet, White has been quiet about the rumors of a McGregor return, stating that while the Irishman is “definitely in the running” and has expressed strong interest, no fights have been officially confirmed. The UFC boss previously ruled out a long-rumored bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler for the White House card.
McGregor himself has claimed he is negotiating a new UFC contract given the promotion’s transition from pay-per-view to the new $7.7 billion Paramount+ streaming deal, which he argues voids his previous agreement, as previously covered by DX.
With matchmaking now underway and White promising to reveal the fight card lineup very soon, UFC fans will not have long to wait before learning which fighters will make history on the White House lawn.
Weigh-ins are planned to be held at the Lincoln Memorial.
