Fighters Question the Hype Around the UFC White House Event

Divided Opinions

The UFC White House event is generating significant debate among fighters. Some question the excessive focus on this single event rather than their usual matches. Prominent voices in this discussion include Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.

"Why is everyone saying White House, White House? Just fight." — Kamaru Usman

Cejudo has also raised concerns, suggesting the event may not draw the expected crowd. He speculated that attendance might be around 5,000 to 6,000, far below the initially anticipated 20,000.

Rescheduled for Trump's Birthday

Originally planned for July 4, 2026, the event was moved to June 14, coinciding with Donald Trump's birthday. While this adjustment gives fighters more preparation time, some argue they should prioritize their regular fights.

"Hunger Games" Criticism

Not all fighters are enthusiastic about the White House event. Brandon Royval and Sean Strickland have criticized it, calling it the "Hunger Games" due to its perceived focus on entertaining high-profile guests over genuine fan engagement. Cejudo echoed this sentiment.

Unconfirmed Fight Cards

The UFC has yet to confirm participants for the White House event. Some fighters, like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, might skip their current fights to wait for this event. However, this strategy could backfire for active champions.

Fans to Watch from Home

The event will be broadcast on Paramount+, meaning fans will miss out on the atmosphere of a packed arena. If the highly anticipated match between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria takes place at the White House, fighters may regret missing a live crowd.