Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump dropped a philosophical bomb and declared next summer the White House would host a UFC event on the grass to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Given the deep connection between UFC and UFC CEO Dana White, that doesn’t happen completely, but it’s completely possible. White certainly picked up the ball and ran as well as fans and fighters.
Well, we solved that.
A year away, but MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jedmesh put their heads together on July 4, 2026 to figure out what MMA fans can expect.
Lee: First, let’s be clear. I’m firm in camps that “completely can’t happen” both for logistical reasons (only security measures become nightmares) and for the fact that I’ve learned to make white declarations with grains of salt from cards and white.
But if we have to.
Soon we’re excluding this event, following the standard 10-15 fight format that we’ve all become accustomed to. This should be a primetime event that is all killer and no filler. These are five launch cards that show you the best America has to offer. And yes, I’ve been leaning far into the Independence Day theme, making all these Americans face British opposition. This can get ugly.
At the top? You guessed it: John Jones vs. Tom Aspinoll! I was probably one of the last holdouts these two claimed to meet at the Octagon one day, and even when Jones announced his retirement, I was still not sure the match was dead. Now, as Jones stays still at availability at the UFC White House (and yes, I know well that the aforementioned salt applies to Jones too), this is my only choice for the headliner.
The joint main event introduces one of the biggest stars on the UFC roster, but not on the US side. Paddy Pimblett, get off! And standing across from “The Baddy” is Trump’s favorite former UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington. Whether Pimblett will gain weight, whether Covington will go down or meet up at catch-level, that doesn’t matter. Instant July 4th fireworks.
Knowing Sean Strickland has to get the invitation, the master of speaking loudly and carrying the foam stick to the Octagon receives an invitation to fight against Michael Page in London. This fight can be absolutely terrible, so it’s hilarious to see people looking at the cageside trying to gas it.
Kayla Harrison is another automated compound for me, given that she is the current UFC champion in America. guess what? It doesn’t matter who got there with her. Because the two-time Olympic champion and the bantamweight queen just want to see her do her best. mall. Congratulations, Melissa Mullins, your sacrifice will not be in vain (you kidding, that will definitely be).
Opening the card is a dream battle that should have happened a few years ago: Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards. This matchup has passed that prime, but Masvidal has long been one of Trump’s most solid supporters, and if he can soothe President Elle and ultimately kill two birds with one stone by giving this beef a break, then do that.
America.
Lee’s main card:
John Jones vs. Tom Aspinoll
Paddy Pimblett vs. Colby Covington
Sean Strickland vs MVP
Kayla Harrison vs. Melissa Mullins
Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards
mesh: Of course, Canadians really don’t know what the American card looks like. Thankfully, I am as American as it gets and know exactly what to expect, not only do I need, but I request a sight like this.
First of all, I think this actually happens. Would I bet my life on it? no. But Donald Trump is a big supporter of the UFC and a big supporter of him. This feels like a very possible thing, even if it may look a little different than we imagine. After all, “Fight Island” became Yas Island, the site where the event was held previously. Maybe they’ll have a UFC event in DC, not on the White House lawn, something It is scheduled to occur on July 4th.
And while the idea of Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones is fun, it’s also stupid. First of all, John Jones never fights aspinel. He simply isn’t going to do that. He might say he’ll do that, but when the push sticks out, he won’t.
But even more importantly, it’s really a shame that aspineol starches Starch Jones on the White House lawn on July 4th. Honestly, that might mean that the whole country will return to its English colonies. No one wants that.
What’s more, it’s as big as that fight, so that’s not enough. The UFC event on the White House lawn is the biggest sight in the history of sports. And the biggest sight requires the biggest stars. Yes, our main event is the much-anticipated Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
“But Jed, Connor is not going to fight again!” Usually I agree with you, with the exception. Jones is worried about his legacy, but McGregor couldn’t care much about what the loss meant. This game has “Notorious” to gain as much money and influence as possible. This is one of the few fights that can provide him with enough both. Moreover, most importantly, we need to assume that the President has some influence on things here. He will come to call for what he wants, and if there is something Trump always wants, it is for the greatest possible thing. McGregor vs Chandler for the President’s Belt, that’s your main event.
But the co-main event could somehow get even bigger. And what is the biggest fight over what has been said over the past few years? Yes, that’s Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk. Can’t you see it? The far sexual and ridiculous battle between the two wealthiest men on the planet only happened in the White House. And let’s do this with the dealt relationship between Trump and Musk and White’s relationship with Zuckerberg.
With these two fighting on the bill, the remaining cards are barely important. Essentially, all UFC fighters want action, but only the selected few will call. I agree that Masvidal vs. Edwards makes sense and probably fills out the main card, but I’m not very sure that Strickland will be appearing (his tweets are everywhere these days). Instead, Henry Sejude concludes his main card against Cheat Bella, closing out a fight that means little more than dealing with Commander Colby Covington vs. Kevin Holland.
Buckle up, kids. The UFC White House will be a pretty show.
Mesh main card:
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Mark Zuckerberg vs Elon Musk
Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards
Henry Sejude vs. Cheatbella
Colby Covington vs. Kevin Holland