Conor McGregor is exploring a fight unlike anything seen before in MMA. Instead of negotiating through the UFC, the Irish superstar is directly in talks with the United States of America for a reported $100 million purse tied to a UFC event at the White House.
The UFC’s “America 250” event is scheduled for late June in Washington, D.C., one week before the Fourth of July, and will move International Fight Week from Las Vegas to the nation’s capital. Organizers anticipate over 85,000 fans watching the event from President’s Park. The unprecedented scope of the card has made McGregor’s negotiations a hot topic.
McGregor last competed in the UFC back in July 2021, when he faced Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight at UFC 264. That bout ended in a TKO loss for McGregor, and he has not fought in the Octagon since. This long absence adds another layer of intrigue to his potential White House appearance.
McGregor Targets Unprecedented Purse With Government Backing
“I’m not negotiating on behalf of myself for this fight like usual,” McGregor said at the BKFC Manchester event. “I’m negotiating with the United States of America on behalf of Ireland for this fight. So it’s a peculiar one. But Trump and the administration have been fully supportive and backing, and I cannot wait to put on a show.”
McGregor’s $100 million ask is consistent with his previous high-profile payouts. He has publicly claimed he earned $100 million from his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather and projected $80 million for his fight with Donald Cerrone. For comparison, Canelo Alvarez reportedly made a similar amount in a Saudi Arabia-promoted fight against Terence Crawford.
This government-backed approach could mark a historic shift for fighter pay, highlighting a new avenue for mega-events beyond the traditional UFC revenue structure.
Conor McGregor $100 Million Dollar Pay Day for UFC White House Event. pic.twitter.com/I54yBnfpAP
— Mcgregor Forever (@mcgregorufc22) September 28, 2025
UFC and TKO Group Face Major Decisions
Negotiations are still ongoing, and it remains uncertain how UFC parent company TKO will handle the situation. Traditionally, the UFC works on an 80/20 revenue split favoring the promotion. McGregor’s proposed $100 million purse represents a major deviation from this model, raising questions about future contracts for superstar fighters.
The White House card will feature some of the biggest names in MMA, and McGregor’s involvement could set new benchmarks for both exposure and compensation.
