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Dana White calls UFC White House event ‘the Sphere on steroids’ in huge tease for unprecedented fight card

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 8:38 PM ET

UFC CEO Dana White is all-in on hosting an event at The White House.

The UFC is less than a year removed from its historic UFC 306 card at the Las Vegas Sphere, and UFC CEO Dana White has another one-off event already in the works.

U.S. President Donald Trump made MMA headlines earlier this month when he announced that the UFC is working to host an event at The White House next year. The card will feature in the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.

Since Trump’s eye-opening announcement, many top names including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have teased comeback fights on the White House card.

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Dana White aims to make UFC White House bigger than Sphere card

A little less than a year until the UFC’s planned event at The White House, plans are still being drawn up for building a fight night atmosphere on the historic lawn. The event will likely not feature fans in attendance due to security concerns, and the crowd could feature mostly family members of the competing athletes.

Despite the UFC straying away from an all-encompassing fan experience at The White House, White plans to make it bigger than when he hosted UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere.

During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, White explained his lofty goals for the UFC’s intended card at The White House.

“Obviously, everybody wants to fight on that card,” White said.

“And that’s a good thing – because we’re going to put on the best card we’ve ever done for that White House event. Just think about what I’m going to do for this fight, and then think about what [President] Trump is going to do for this fight.

“It’s a one of one experience. Like when we did the Sphere, it’s the Sphere on steroids! It’s going to be a one of one event, and nothing like it ever again.”

White has also repeatedly teased the idea of sidelined legends McGregor and Jones returning to the Octagon for the event. But McGregor threw gasoline on the fire when he gave White and the UFC brass a bizarre ultimatum.

Conor McGregor issued a bizarre ultimatum to UFC for potential White House comeback

McGregor recently said that he’d only return to the UFC Octagon if his teammate, prospect Lee Hammond, was signed to the promotion. Hammond featured on The Ultimate Fighter 31 on McGregor’s team during the season.

McGregor hasn’t fought in the Octagon since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Poirier will retire following his fight with BMF titleholder Max Holloway this weekend at UFC 318.

McGregor has repeatedly teased a UFC comeback for years, stemming from his time coaching opposite Michael Chandler on The Ultimate Fighter. A fight between McGregor and Chandler might make sense for both parties at The White House.