Donald Trump 'loves' a UFC star who is a big fan favourite as Dana White appeared to confirm his spot on the White House card.
The UFC are set to stage a momentous event at the White House next year to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.
Several UFC stars are eyeing a fight on the show, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.
McGregor wants to make his comeback at the White House, while Jones is looking to face Alex Pereira on the card.
Advert
Plenty of other names have been discussed, including UFC middleweight Bo Nickal, who is pals with Trump.
Derrick Lewis seems set to compete at the White House, too, given White's hint at the UFC 323 post-fight press conference.
Speaking after UFC 323 in Las Vegas, White was asked whether Paramount - UFC's new media rights partner - are ready for a Lewis victory speech, having delivered an x-rated post-fight interview in his last Octagon appearance.
Advert
A reported asked White: "Is Paramount ready for a Derrick Lewis post-fight victory speech?"
To which he replied: "Is the White House ready for Derrick Lewis?"
White continued by revealing that Trump 'loves' Lewis and does not stop talking about the UFC heavyweight.
"President Trump loves Derrick Lewis," the UFC boss added. "Loves Derrick Lewis and he hasn't told me to do anything. He will not stop talking about Derrick Lewis, so it's a big fight for Derrick coming up."
Advert
Lewis, who hasn't fought since his 35-second drubbing of Tallison Teixeira in July, returns to action at UFC 324, which kicks off the promotion's new broadcast partnership with Paramount.
'The Black Beast' faces Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who recorded an impressive two victories in the month of November.
Cortes-Acosta stopped Tom Aspinall's teammate Ante Delija in the first round of their main-event bout in Las Vegas before making a quick turnaround at UFC Qatar, where he beat Shamil Gaziev in the first round.
Advert
A win over Cortes-Acosta could punch Lewis' ticket for a big showdown at the White House.
Donald Trump says UFC White House card will feature 'eight or nine championship fights'
No UFC fights have yet to be scheduled for the White House card but considering the enormity of the event, fans can expect the biggest stars and biggest fights.
Trump himself has high expectations as he claimed there would be 'eight or nine championship fights' on the card.
Advert
"The UFC on June 14th, it’s gonna be June 14th next year," he told the press. "And they’re building an arena. The great Dana White’s building an arena. And they’re gonna have eight or nine championship fights, the biggest fights they’ve ever had. Every one’s a championship fight. And every one’s a legendary type of fight. He’s actually holding back fights right now for six months so he can do it for this June 15th.
"I think June 15th is gonna be amazing. I think the arena’s gonna be five or six thousand seats right in front of the front door of the White House, and a hundred thousand people in the back where they’re putting up eight or ten big screens. That’s gonna be exciting. So many people are asking for tickets."
Topics: Donald Trump, Dana White, UFC
Nasir Jabbar