The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s blockbuster White House card has finally been announced – and it sure had some surprises.
After months of speculation about the unprecedented event, UFC boss Dana White revealed which superstars are set to compete during the coverage of UFC 326.
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The seismic show is set for Sunday, June 14 (Monday, June 15 in Australia), staged on the South Lawn of the White House before a crowd of an estimated 5,000 fans.
President Donald Trump will preside over the spectacle as part of the celebrations for America’s 250th year of independence.
For Aussie fight fans, the blockbuster card will air live and exclusively on Kayo Sports and Main Event on Foxtel.
Joe Rogan said the event was “going to be insane” when speaking to the UFC boss.
In the headliner, lightweight champions Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will fight to unify the lightweight title, with the Georgian returning after a fighting hiatus.
“Right now the timing is right for him and Justin Gaethje,” Dana White said.
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Elsewhere, Pereira will face No.1 ranked heavyweight Ciryl Gane, instead of his rumoured bout with Jon Jones.
UFC fans were also hopeful of seeing the return of Conor McGregor, with it being circulated he would fight in the White House card.
The Brazilian moves up a division after his last bout saw him reclaim the light heavyweight title with a win over Magomed Ankalaev.
“I knew it, I knew that Alex Pereira wasn’t giving up his belt,” Daniel Cormier said.
Dana White also indicated Pereira could face Tom Aspinall if he comes away from this bout with a win.
MAIN EVENT
ILIA TOPURIA vs JUSTIN GAETHJE
ALEX PEREIRA vs CIRYL GANE
SEAN O’MALLEY vs AIEMANN ZAHABI
MAURICIO RUFFY vs MICHAEL CHANDLER
BO NICKAL vs KYLE DAUKAUS
DIEGO LOPES vs STEVE GARCIA
CONOR McGREGOR HAS BEEN LEFT OFF
McGregor, 37, is the biggest star in UFC history and has been sensationally left off the historic card.
The Irishman’s coach John Kavanagh has been preparing McGregor for a comeback for months — but it will not be on this card.
Dana White has previously expressed confidence in McGregor’s commitment to fight on the card, explaining that the former two-division champ can be counted on to deliver on the White House stage.
“I trust Conor,” he said on The Jim Rome Show.
“McGregor has never, unless seriously injured, this guy has always delivered. Jon, I’m a little more sceptical about.”
McGregor has been out of UFC action since a horrific leg injury in July 2021 while fighting Dustin Poirier.
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HOW IT WILL WORK
White has already confirmed that the historic show will be staged outdoors on the South Lawn of the White House.
“We literally just got done going through all the logistics of how to set it up there, how many people we can have,” he said in January.
“It’s looking like we’ll have 5,000 people live on the White House lawn – on the South Lawn.
“Then, across the street is the park, it’s called The Ellipse, and we can have 85,000 people there.
“We’re gonna have big screens, a stage, music throughout the day.
“We’re basically going to take over DC that whole week with lots of different things for fight fans.
“The fighters will actually walk from the Oval Office to the Octagon.”
It is not yet known exactly who will be permitted to attend the event, although approximately 1,000 seats are being reserved for members of the military.
Those fortunate enough to attend the historic showcase will be required to undergo stringent security screening before stepping onto the grounds.