Morning Report: Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen question UFC White House logistics, Conor McGregor involvement

President Donald Trump desires a UFC occasion to happen at The White Home on July 4, 2026 and that time-frame has raised a number of eyebrows.

At an Iowa rally, Trump announced that next year’s Independence Day festivities will include having a few fights inside the octagon someplace within the neighborhood of The White Home. Particulars are scarce, assuming such an occasion is even realistically within the works, however a lack of expertise hasn’t prevented followers and fighters from speculating on how the cardboard may form up.

Former UFC stars and present analysts Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier are excited in regards to the thought, however aren’t solely positive how an occasion of that magnitude can realistically come collectively in 12 months.

“What would the build-out be for that?” Sonnen mentioned on Good Guy / Bad Guy. “I imply enthusiastic about what [UFC event producers] [Craig] Borsari and [Zachary] Candito bought to undergo to usher in—I suppose you’re going to lift a stadium as a result of [Trump] acknowledged various 20,000 folks by the best way. So now you’re speaking about bringing in an amphitheater for one night time solely.

“It’s an fascinating idea, and I suppose as time has passed by, I’ve taken it extra critical. I took it virtually like an announcement. I suppose there’s an announcement that we’re going to do a UFC on the grounds of The White Home. I suppose?”

Cormier’s points with the urged occasion stem from earlier experiences having Trump in attendance at UFC occasions. The president has lengthy been a supporter of UFC CEO Dana White and his group, and he has made a number of appearances at UFC exhibits since successful the 2026 election.

Given the hoops Cormier and the remainder of occasion employees sometimes have to leap by to make sure Trump’s security, he has no thought how the president’s safety staff will be capable of increase their obligations ought to they hit the deliberate attendance quantity.

“When he mentioned they’re going to do a UFC occasion at The White Home, I used to be like, ‘Oh my God, that’s thrilling,’” Cormier mentioned. “Then I began to assume for him to only come to a struggle, all of the hoops that we undergo as those who work for the corporate. The Secret Service is within the enviornment the day earlier than. All of us have to take action many different issues, background checks—as a result of the president’s going to be there—as we should always.

“Think about making an attempt to place 25,000 at The White Home. They’re going to undergo all these steps for all these folks. I believe that we as a rustic can do no matter we would like. America. You already know I like it, I like my crimson, white, and blue. I don’t know that the trouble it would take to make that occur goes to be definitely worth the squeeze virtually. I simply don’t know. And it’s going to be outdoors? In July? It will get scorching in Washington in July.”

Trump’s announcement instantly piqued the curiosity of two of the largest names in UFC historical past, Jon Jones and Conor McGregor. Jones not too long ago retired, however reacted positively to the information of a UFC White Home occasion and claimed he is re-entering the drug-testing pool to “keep everyone’s options open.” McGregor tweeted, “I would be honored” to be a part of the historic card.

Each former champions would undoubtedly be welcome to take part, however their availability has been erratic over the previous few years. Sonnen thinks McGregor, specifically, can’t be trusted to point out up for such an essential card.

“It additionally comes all the way down to a belief challenge,” Sonnen mentioned. “That they had a $25 million gate [for UFC 303] that was ready. They have been doing a press convention two miles from Conor’s residence in Eire after we get an image of a discolored pinky toe, which can or might not be damaged and should or could not have even belonged to Conor. Like, he doesn’t take an image of a pinky toe after which he scrolls it as much as himself, there’s only a image of a purple toe and this complete occasion is off.

“Sooner or later, in case you’re Dana, you’re going, ‘Pay attention, you’re going to burn me as soon as however you’re not going to get me twice and I’ve bought to have the ability to belief the blokes that I’m working with.’ That’s the place issues get robust. I do imagine that Conor want to struggle if it was at The White Home, however I believe if they create one thing particular to The White Home, I believe you’re more likely to have a title someplace in there and Conor doesn’t qualify for that and Jones has brazenly mentioned, ‘I’m not going to try this.’ If I’m to take these guys at their phrase, then I’ve bought to name B.S.”

If it have been as much as Sonnen, the UFC would name upon fighters that aren’t solely extra dependable, however which have been extra integral to constructing the promotion over the previous few years.

“I believe that the blokes and gals from the locker room which have helped increase to this event, I imagine these are those that you just’re going to see combating in the event that they do arrange an amphitheater behind The White Home, which by the best way is an amazing ask of anyone,” Sonnen mentioned. “Go construct a venue? ‘Hey, look, see that over there. Construct a venue. Oh, by the best way, in probably the most high-security place ever.’

“Have you learnt how lengthy it might take to get I-beams in? You’re making an attempt to usher in your cement vans, you’re making an attempt to usher in your audio man. Have you learnt what they must undergo and so they’re speaking they’re going to have this performed by July?”

Ejected. Sean Strickland fires back at Dan Henderson claiming he was kicked out of gymnasium.

Deportation. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. proclaims son’s innocence following ICE arrest, potential deportation.

Betting. Jake Paul, Mike Tyson made massive bet on Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3.

Guarantees. ‘I just don’t like hugging another man in a fight’: Joshua Van guarantees he can cope with Alexandre Pantoja’s grappling.

It’s time for MMA Preventing’s third UFC Fantasy Draft!

MMA Preventing’s Damon Martin talks to No. 1 flyweight contender Joshua Van.

Combat poster.

Donate in case you can, please.

One of the best knockouts of the week.

Guide him, Dana.

We have been confused as effectively, Corey.

The one UFC Nashville hype video you want.

Guess he’s getting wholesome.

Don’t feed the troll.

Modestas Bukauskas (18-6) vs. Paul Craig (17-9-1, 1 NC); UFC Paris, Sept. 6

Look, nobody ought to belief that the UFC White Home factor will occur. Keep in mind after we have been promised “Combat Island” and simply bought the identical Yas Enviornment they’d been going to?

That being mentioned, this most likely is actual given the gamers concerned. What a time to be alive. Nothing says one of the essential symbols in America like fist fights on the entrance garden. — Meshew

Should you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.