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Sep 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; MMA fighter Conor McGregor waves to fans as he walks off the field before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Building A Dream UFC White House Card

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Andre Castillo | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 1:10 PM ET

The first fight rumors surrounding the UFC’s divisive White House card have arrived.

On Sunday, Spanish MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero reported that the promotion was targeting a lightweight unifier between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje in the main event. If booked, it will be the first fight in nearly a year for “El Matador”, who recently settled divorce and child custody suits with his ex-wife.

That is just one fight so far, but what if one can book an entire full card? Here is an attempt at doing so…

The Main Event

Despite President Donald Trump’ bold initial claim that UFC White House would feature “eight or nine championship fights”, three is a more realistic goal.

Having an all-title-fight card would have made sense in the original PFL, which ran tournaments. In the UFC however, loading a card exclusively with title fights severely weakens the cards after it. What becomes of the next tentpole events, for instance? What will headline them?

That being said, Topuria vs. Gaethje would be a fine choice for headliner – of another card. The White House, however, demands something more bombastic, and there is one perfect man for it.

Enter Conor McGregor. The former lightweight champion’s CSAD suspension ends in March 2026, three months before the White House card. Despite his scandals, he is still among the world’s most famous MMA fighters, and he will draw eyeballs, even if it is just for hate-watching.

While a date with The Ultimate Fighter co-coach Michael Chandler seems past its “expiry date”, the winner of the Max Holloway-Charles Oliveira rematch at UFC 326 remains viable. “Do Bronx” is a fresh matchup, while “Blessed” would love to avenge his 2013 loss to McGregor, back when they were still featherweight prospects. Depending on either man’s physical condition after their fight. “The Notorious” should look no further for his first foe back.

Other Fights

For the co-main event, Topuria and Gaethje are a sensiblie choice. The next fight will probably be for an interim heavyweight title while Tom Aspinall continues to recover – Ciryl Gane vs. Sergei Pavlovich. Both men were supposed to meet in 2020, but an injury to Pavlovich scuppered it.

The remaining four fights will probably be “nostalgia bait”, like noted Trump supporter Colby Covington vs. Gilbert Burns. Derrick Lewis will probably get another fight, even though he looked completely lost against Waldo Cortes-Acosta last time around. Jon Jones’ chances of returnign may be hampered by recent revelations of hip problems, but he is also a significant draw.

Finally, no female fighters will likely be involved given Trump’s rather seedy reputation. After all, will they want to fight for someone who has boasted about seducing women, even while married?

End Of My UFC White House Rant

The White House card will be unlike anything the UFC has ever done.

The promotion has hosted an open-air event before: UFC 112 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. That one, however, had thousands of paying fans in attendance. UFC White House, however, will have no tickets on sale, instead potentially relying on either invitations or a raffle. Those unlucky enough to be excluded will have to make do with screens at The Ellipse.

Once one steps foot at the National Mall come June 14, they will be in for a treat…

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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