Plans for a UFC event on the White House lawn have captured attention across combat sports. The occasion is tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States and has already stirred major discussion before a single bout has been confirmed.
Interest peaked even further after President Donald Trump suggested the card could feature “eight or nine” championship fights. That statement quickly reached longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who addressed the idea during a recent podcast discussion.
“First of all, there are only eight weight classes, so how’s there going to be nine title fights? [Laughs]” Rogan said. “[In a Trump voice] ‘We’re gonna have 20 title fights! All the title fights that’s ever been!’”
While the UFC technically includes additional divisions when accounting for women’s titles and specialty belts, Rogan questioned the practicality of stacking that many championship bouts on a single outdoor event.
One Name Rogan Refuses to Leave Out
For Rogan, the biggest issue surrounding the White House event is not the number of belts on the line. It is whether Jon Jones competes.
“If they don’t do Jon Jones at the White House, I think it would be a travesty,” Rogan said. “They need to do that. C’mon! Dana’s like, ‘You can’t count on him.’ You can f*cking count on him. C’mon, stop. At the White House? C’mon!”
Jones has actively pursued a spot on the card since the event was announced and even reversed a brief retirement. UFC leadership, however, has repeatedly downplayed the likelihood, citing past unpredictability.
A Crowded Line for a Historic Opportunity
Jones is far from alone in wanting a place on the unique card. Numerous champions and high-profile fighters have publicly expressed interest, recognizing the symbolic value of competing at such a venue.
Names such as Islam Makhachev, Kayla Harrison, and Conor McGregor have all emerged in conversations about potential matchups. With so many elite fighters lobbying for a limited number of slots, competition for placement is intense.
Rogan also pointed out that fighting under those circumstances could bring unexpected challenges.
“A lot of weird pressure, too,” Rogan said. “Because it’s like, all the security and protocols, all that extra shit in your mind before you have to go out there and fight. …Also, you’re fighting outside. It’s hot. What if it’s hot and muggy? That’s going to affect people. …
“So who knows what’s going to happen? I guess they’ll probably have to have some sort of roof over it, but what if it’s 98 degrees outside? It’s June in Baltimore, Maryland, whatever that is. D.C. gets hot in the summer!” via MMAFighting
The UFC White House event is currently scheduled for June 14, though bout announcements remain pending. While uncertainty surrounds the final card, Rogan made his stance unmistakably clear.
From his perspective, leaving Jon Jones off one of the most historic stages the sport has ever seen would be a major misstep.
