The UFC’s ambitious plans for a landmark event at the White House on June 14 have encountered significant obstacles due to strict venue regulations.
The organisation will be prohibited from broadcasting the card on pay-per-view, collecting gate revenue, or featuring sponsors, according to reports.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani said “There will be no pay-per-view. There will be no gate. And what I’m hearing is that there will be no sponsors as well.”
White House restrictions prevent sponsors from displaying logos on the cage, eliminating traditional revenue streams.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the organisation is funding the entire event without taxpayer money, telling Sports Business Journal: “No, we’re eating the whole thing.”
The event, scheduled to coincide with Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday, will mark America’s 250th year of independence.
Approximately 4,000 elite guests are expected to attend the South Lawn gathering, with Elon Musk among those anticipated.
Security measures have severely restricted public access to the venue.
The UFC’s ambitious plans for a landmark event at the White House are planned for June 14
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President Trump and White have expressed a desire to include military personnel on the guest list given the Flag Day significance.
Ordinary fans will be able to watch proceedings on large screens positioned at The Ellipse park, located in front of the White House.
The President has claimed the night will feature an unprecedented number of title bouts.
The card’s VIP-only nature creates unique financial constraints that diminish its appeal as a venue for Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to competition.
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Helwani explained the reasoning behind keeping McGregor away from such an event: “They didn’t want to have him at the Apex in front of no one. Therefore, you can see why he avoided fighting in empty arenas.”
The journalist suggested an alternative timeline for the Irishman’s comeback,: “I’m not saying Conor will not come back, but they’ve got a pay-per-view in July. I’m hearing July 11.”
McGregor had previously indicated the star-studded White House event could see him face Michael Chandler.
McGregor has been absent from the octagon since suffering a broken left leg during his third bout against Dustin Poirier nearly five years ago.
Five things to know about Conor McGregor | PA
A planned clash with Chandler in Las Vegas in June 2024 fell through after the Dubliner sustained a broken left pinky toe.
The former two-division champion is currently serving an 18-month suspension for anti-doping violations after accumulating three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, which constitutes a failed test under UFC rules.
His ban commenced on September 20, 2024, and will conclude on March 20, 2026.
Any future fight would be his first since being found civilly liable for assaulting Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018.
