Nearly every fighter on the UFC roster has thrown their name into the mix for the highly anticipated White House card in June. Now, UFC Dana White says the long wait for actual matchmaking is almost over.
After months of speculation, the UFC has finalized logistics for the outdoor event, which will take place on the South Lawn of the White House with an estimated 5,000 fans in attendance. While anticipation has continued to build, the promotion delayed booking fights due to an already packed schedule early in the year.
“So I have Zuffa Boxing on the 23rd of this month, the 24th is UFC, and as soon as those two fights are over, I start working on the White House fight,” White said while speaking on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast.
The comments confirm that UFC Dana White will soon begin assembling what many expect to be one of the most ambitious cards in promotional history. Lead UFC commentator Jon Anik has already teased the possibility of multiple title fights headlining the event.
One name consistently linked to the White House card is Conor McGregor. The former two-division champion has openly framed his long-awaited return around the June event, aiming to compete for the first time since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. McGregor has re-entered the UFC’s anti-doping program, resumed full training, and scaled back outside commitments, including his role with BKFC.
McGregor continues to target Michael Chandler, though UFC Dana White has yet to officially confirm either fighter for the card.
At the moment, only two undisputed champions have upcoming title defenses scheduled. Kayla Harrison will defend her bantamweight belt against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324, while Alexander Volkanovski rematches Diego Lopes for the featherweight title at UFC 325. Additional high-profile bouts include Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title and Max Holloway defending his BMF belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March.
That leaves several champions available if the UFC chooses to stack the White House card with title fights.
For White, the event carries significance beyond competition.
“When you think about sports, [George] Bush was a big baseball fan,” White said. “[Barack] Obama loves the NBA. Trump is a UFC fan.”
While White House planning continues, UFC Dana White also delivered major news on social media, confirming one of the biggest comebacks of 2026.
White took to Instagram Live to announce the return of former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who has not competed since February of last year. Adesanya will headline UFC Seattle on March 28 at Climate Pledge Arena against No. 15-ranked contender Joe Pyfer.
The bout marks Adesanya’s first fight against an opponent outside the top 10 in several years. He enters the matchup on a three-fight losing streak, having last fallen to Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia.
White also confirmed the co-main event, a high-stakes rematch between Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber.
The Seattle card marks the UFC’s return to the venue following last year’s controversial main event between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong, which ended in a technical decision after an eye poke.
Following the announcement, Adesanya reacted with a short message on social media.
“Aaaah s—… here we go again!” Adesanya wrote.
Pyfer, meanwhile, delivered an emotional response as he prepares for the biggest opportunity of his career.
“I’m blessed for the opportunity against one of the greatest middleweights of all time,” Pyfer wrote on Instagram. “Little Joey P is on his way. Hard f—ing work incoming. Self-belief and faith can pull any man out of a dark time. Let’s go get this s—!!! What a life.”
As UFC Dana White balances blockbuster announcements with historic event planning, the next few months promise major movement across the promotion, from Seattle to the South Lawn of the White House.
