UFC boss Dana White says he wants Conor McGregor, not Jon Jones, to headline White House UFC event

UFC CEO Dana White has set his sights on a truly unprecedented stage for the fight game: the White House. During an interview this week, White revealed plans to host a massive fight card on the South Lawn in 2026 as part of International Fight Week, and at the center of his vision is none other than Conor McGregor.

Dana White confirms UFC White House fight week with South Lawn setup and concerts

White explained that the UFC will “We're literally going to take over Washington D.C.” for the event, turning International Fight Week into a spectacle unlike anything the sport has ever seen. The plan includes a main fight card on the White House South Lawn with fewer than 5,000 fans in attendance.

Beyond the gates, another 85,000 spectators are expected to gather in the nearby park, where giant screens and a full concert stage will create a festival-like atmosphere.

Dana White says Conor McGregor is his pick over Jon Jones to headline UFC event at the White House in 2026

When asked about who will headline the event, White said that Jon Jones, isn’t on the top of his list and suggested that it would be Conor McGregor.The Irish superstar, who hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, remains the UFC’s biggest box-office attraction. White praised McGregor’s consistency and willingness to show up when it matters most.

“Say what you will about Conor McGregor because people like to talk sh*t about that too, but he is that guy, and he's always been that guy,” White noted.

“When the sh*t hits the fan, who's really willing to go out, and Conor McGregor has always been that guy,"McGregor, now 37, has been linked to several possible opponents for a return fight, but White made it clear that reliability and star power are the deciding factors for this historic stage.If the plan goes ahead, UFC’s White House fight could become one of the most iconic spectacles in combat sports history, marking a fusion of MMA showmanship and presidential prestige that only Dana White and Conor McGregor could pull off.