Earlier this month, the president of the US, Donald Trump, dropped a metaphorical bombshell, declaring that subsequent summer season, the White Home will host a UFC occasion on its garden, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Whereas it’s completely potential that gained’t occur, it’s additionally completely potential it would, given Trump’s deep ties to the UFC and UFC CEO Dana White. White actually picked up the ball and ran with it, as did followers and fighters, all questioning what such an occasion would possibly appear like.
Effectively, we’ve solved it.
Although it’s a yr away, MMA Preventing’s Alexander Ok. Lee and Jed Meshew put their heads collectively to determine what MMA followers can count on on July 4, 2026.
Lee: First off, let me be clear, I’m firmly within the “completely potential it gained’t occur” camp each on account of logistical causes (the security measures alone will be a nightmare), and the truth that I’ve discovered to take any daring proclamation from Trump or White with a grain of salt.
But when we should.
Instantly, I’m ruling out this occasion following the usual 10-15 fights format we’ve all grown accustomed to. This ought to be a primetime occasion that’s all killer and no filler, a five-bout card showcasing solely the perfect that America has to supply. And sure, I’m leaning all the way in which into the Independence Day theme and having all these People face British opposition. This might get ugly.
On the prime? You guessed it: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall! I used to be in all probability one of many final holdouts insisting these two would meet within the octagon sometime, and even when Jones introduced his retirement, I nonetheless wasn’t totally satisfied the matchup was useless. Now, with Jones teasing his availability for UFC White House (and sure, I’m nicely conscious the aforementioned grain of salt additionally applies to Jones), that is my solely alternative for a headliner.
Within the co-main occasion, we’re bringing in one of many largest stars at present on the UFC roster, although not on the U.S. facet. Paddy Pimblett, come on down! And standing throughout from “The Baddy” is Trump’s favourite former interim UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington. Whether or not Pimblett goes up in weight, Covington goes down, or they meet at a catchweight, it doesn’t matter. On the spot July 4 fireworks.
You realize Sean Strickland has to get an invite, so the grasp of speaking loudly and carrying a foam stick into the octagon will get the decision to struggle London’s Michael Page. This struggle could possibly be completely terrible, so seeing people cageside making an attempt to gasoline it up shall be hilarious.
Kayla Harrison is one other auto-inclusion for me, given she’s the one present American UFC champion. Guess what? It doesn’t matter who we put in there along with her, as a result of we simply need to see the two-time Olympic champion and bantamweight queen do what she does greatest, which is maul. Congratulations, Melissa Mullins, your sacrifice won’t be in useless (kidding, it undoubtedly shall be).
And opening the cardboard is a dream struggle that ought to have occurred years in the past: Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards. This matchup is waaaaaaay previous its prime, however Masvidal has lengthy been certainly one of Trump’s staunchest supporters, and if we will kill two birds with one stone right here by appeasing El Presidente and in addition lastly placing this beef to relaxation, let’s do it.
AMERICA.
Lee’s primary card:
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Paddy Pimblett vs. Colby Covington
Sean Strickland vs. MVP
Kayla Harrison vs. Melissa Mullins
Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards
Meshew: In fact, a Canadian doesn’t have any thought what a very AMERICAN card would appear like. Fortunately, I’m as American because it will get, and I do know precisely what a spectacle like this doesn’t simply want, however calls for.
First off, let me simply say, I feel this really occurs. Would I wager my life on it? No. However Donald Trump is an enormous supporter of the UFC, who’re large supporters of him. This seems like one thing that may be very a lot potential, even when possibly it seems to be somewhat completely different than we’re imagining. In spite of everything, “Combat Island” simply ended up being Yas Island, a spot they’d held occasions at earlier than. Possibly they simply maintain a UFC occasion in DC, and never on the White Home garden, however one thing goes to occur subsequent 4th of July.
And whereas the thought of Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones is enjoyable, it’s additionally foolhardy. First, Jon Jones is rarely preventing Aspinall. He’s merely not going to do it. He would possibly say he’ll do it, however when push involves shove, he gained’t, as a result of if he have been going to, he would have.
However extra importantly, you don’t need that struggle to occur as a result of it might be an actual bummer for Aspinall to starch Jones on the White Home garden on July 4th. Truthfully, which may simply imply the complete nation reverts to being an English colony. No one desires that.
In addition to, for as large as that struggle is, it’s nonetheless not sufficiently big. A UFC occasion on the White Home garden can be the most important spectacle within the historical past of the game. And the most important spectacle requires the most important star. That’s proper, our primary occasion is the long-awaited Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
“However Jed, Conor is rarely going to struggle once more!” Usually, I’d agree with you, however that is the exception. Whereas Jones is anxious about his legacy, and what a loss would possibly imply, McGregor couldn’t care much less. “Infamous” is on this sport to amass as a lot cash and affect as potential, and this is likely one of the few fights that would supply him sufficient of each. Plus, and most significantly, we should always assume the President has some affect over issues right here. He’s going to get to name for what he desires, and if there’s one factor Trump at all times desires, it’s for the most important issues potential. McGregor vs. Chandler for the President’s Belt, that’s your primary occasion.
However the co-main occasion might someway find yourself being even larger, as a result of once more, we’re going as large as potential. And what’s the most important struggle talked about over the previous a number of years? That’s proper, it’s Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk. Can’t you simply see it? A farcical, ludicrous struggle between two of the richest males on the planet may solely ever occur on the White Home. And with the on-again-off-again relationship between Trump and Musk, and White’s ties to Zuckerberg, let’s simply get this accomplished.
With these two struggle atop the invoice, the remainder of the cardboard hardly issues. Mainly, each fighter within the UFC will need in on the motion, however solely a selected few will get the decision. I agree with AK that Masvidal vs. Edwards is sensible and doubtless fills out the primary card, however I’m much less assured in Strickland showing (his Tweets are in every single place nowadays). As an alternative, I’ll spherical out the primary card with Henry Cejudo taking over Chito Vera and a struggle that makes nearly no sense past catering to the Commander-in-Chief, Colby Covington vs. Kevin Holland.
Buckle up, children. UFC White Home goes to be fairly the present.
Meshew’s primary card:
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk
Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards
Henry Cejudo vs. Chito Vera
Colby Covington vs. Kevin Holland
