Earlier this month, the president of america, Donald Trump, dropped a metaphorical bombshell, declaring that subsequent summer time, 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 solely potential that received’t occur, it’s additionally solely potential 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 appear to be.
Properly, we’ve solved it.
Although it’s a yr away, MMA Preventing’s Alexander Okay. 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 “solely potential it received’t occur” camp each because of logistical causes (the safety measures alone will probably 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 must be a primetime occasion that’s all killer and no filler, a five-bout card showcasing solely one of the best that America has to supply. And sure, I’m leaning all the best way into the Independence Day theme and having all these Individuals face British opposition. This might get ugly.
On the prime? You guessed it: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall! I used to be most likely 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 absolutely satisfied the matchup was useless. Now, with Jones teasing his availability for UFC White Home (and sure, I’m properly conscious the aforementioned grain of salt additionally applies to Jones), that is my solely selection 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. Instantaneous 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 combat London’s Michael Web page. This combat may very well be completely terrible, so seeing people cageside making an attempt to fuel it up will probably 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 together with her, as a result of we simply wish 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 will probably be).
And opening the cardboard is a dream combat 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 among 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 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 thought what a really AMERICAN card would appear to be. 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 large supporters of him. This seems like one thing that may be very a lot potential, even when possibly it seems a bit of totally different than we’re imagining. In any case, “Battle Island” simply ended up being Yas Island, a spot they’d held occasions at earlier than. Perhaps 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 preventing Aspinall. He’s merely not going to do it. He may say he’ll do it, however when push involves shove, he received’t, as a result of if he had been going to, he would have.
However extra importantly, you don’t need that combat to occur as a result of it could be an actual bummer for Aspinall to starch Jones on the White Home garden on July 4th. Actually, which may simply imply your entire nation reverts to being an English colony. No person desires that.
Apart from, for as large as that combat is, it’s nonetheless not sufficiently big. 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 important occasion is the long-awaited Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
“However Jed, Conor is rarely going to combat 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 potential, and this is likely one of the few fights that might provide him sufficient of each. Plus, and most significantly, we must 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 largest issues potential. McGregor vs. Chandler for the President’s Belt, that’s your important occasion.
However the co-main occasion could one way or the other find yourself being even larger, as a result of once more, we’re going as large as potential. And what’s the largest combat 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 combat 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 combat 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 sensible and possibly fills out the principle card, however I’m much less assured in Strickland showing (his Tweets are far and wide nowadays). As an alternative, I’ll spherical out the principle card with Henry Cejudo taking over Chito Vera and a combat that makes nearly no sense past catering to the Commander-in-Chief, Colby Covington vs. Kevin Holland.
Buckle up, youngsters. UFC White Home goes to be fairly the present.
Meshew’s 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
