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 attainable that gained’t occur, it’s additionally completely attainable it would, given Trump’s deep ties to the UFC and UFC CEO Dana White. White definitely picked up the ball and ran with it, as did followers and fighters, all questioning what such an occasion may seem like.
Properly, we’ve solved it.
Although it’s a 12 months away, MMA Preventing’s Alexander Ok. Lee and Jed Meshew put their heads collectively to determine what MMA followers can anticipate on July 4, 2026.
Lee: First off, let me be clear, I’m firmly within the “completely attainable it gained’t occur” camp each as a result of logistical causes (the safety measures alone might be a nightmare), and the truth that I’ve realized 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 needs to be a primetime occasion that’s all killer and no filler, a five-bout card showcasing solely the very best that America has to supply. And sure, I’m leaning all the best way into the Independence Day theme and having all these People face British opposition. This might get ugly.
On the high? 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 Home (and sure, I’m effectively 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 the moment 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. Immediate July 4 fireworks.
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 battle London’s Michael Web page. This battle could possibly be completely terrible, so seeing of us cageside making an attempt to fuel it up might 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 finest, which is maul. Congratulations, Melissa Mullins, your sacrifice is not going to be in useless (kidding, it positively might be).
And opening the cardboard is a dream battle 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 one in every of Trump’s staunchest supporters, and if we will kill two birds with one stone right here by appeasing El Presidente and likewise lastly placing this beef to relaxation, let’s do it.
AMERICA.
Lee’s most important 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 concept what a very AMERICAN card would seem 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 truly occurs. Would I wager my life on it? No. However Donald Trump is an enormous supporter of the UFC, who’re massive supporters of him. This appears like one thing that may be very a lot attainable, even when possibly it appears a little bit completely different than we’re imagining. In spite of everything, “Battle Island” simply ended up being Yas Island, a spot they’d held occasions at earlier than. Possibly they only 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 concept of Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones is enjoyable, it’s additionally foolhardy. First, Jon Jones is rarely combating Aspinall. He’s merely not going to do it. He may 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 battle 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. Actually, which may simply imply your complete nation reverts to being an English colony. No person needs that.
In addition to, for as massive as that battle is, it’s nonetheless not large enough. A UFC occasion on the White Home garden could be the largest spectacle within the historical past of the game. And the largest spectacle requires the largest star. That’s proper, our most important occasion is the long-awaited Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
“However Jed, Conor is rarely going to battle once more!” Usually, I’d agree with you, however that is the exception. Whereas Jones is anxious about his legacy, and what a loss may imply, McGregor couldn’t care much less. “Infamous” is on this recreation to amass as a lot cash and affect as attainable, and this is among the few fights that would provide 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 needs, and if there’s one factor Trump at all times needs, it’s for the largest issues attainable. McGregor vs. Chandler for the President’s Belt, that’s your most important occasion.
However the co-main occasion could someway find yourself being even larger, as a result of once more, we’re going as massive as attainable. And what’s the largest battle 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 battle 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 achieved.
With these two battle atop the invoice, the remainder of the cardboard hardly issues. Principally, 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 smart and possibly fills out the primary card, however I’m much less assured in Strickland showing (his Tweets are everywhere today). As an alternative, I’ll spherical out the primary card with Henry Cejudo taking up Chito Vera and a battle 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 most important 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
