UFC White House card officially confirmed as Conor McGregor issues statement

Conor McGregor has given his seal of approval after the six-fight card for 'UFC Freedom 250: The White House' was confirmed.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, an unprecedented UFC event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026.

In total, 5,000 spectators – including 1,000 members of the military – are expected to attend, with a further 85,000 watching at a nearby park called the Ellipse.

Speculation has been rife as to who will feature on the card.

Dana White previously revealed that he wanted Conor McGregor to be one of the headline names for the event, but gave former two-division champion Jon Jones a "billion to one" chance of making it.

After much debate, White finally settled on a plan this week. "This card was a lot more difficult to put together than we had anticipated, but we got it done," he told reporters at UFC 326.

Ilia Topuria will defend his undisputed lightweight belt against Justin Gaethje in the main event, while Alex Pereira will try to become the first fighter to win UFC titles in three weight divisions when he takes on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

"We're in a unique position here where we have these guys like Pereira, who has the opportunity to become a three-way champion, and Ilia Topuria is one of those guys, too. But right now, the timing is right for him and Justin Gaethje and that should be explosive," said White.

"A fight fell out last night; the matchmaking team was literally in the office all night last night working on this thing," added the UFC president. "It's done, we're ready to roll. Here we come, Washington, D.C."

Michael Chandler and Sean O'Malley will also take part at the White House.

UFC White House card in full:

• Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje
• Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane
• Sean O'Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi
• Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler
• Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus
• Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia

Conor McGregor reacts to UFC White House card

Taking to X after the card was announced, McGregor commented on a graphic of the line-up. He wrote: "A great card! #CantWait." He also posted a photo of the card alongside the caption: "Love it".

Many expected the Irishman to feature at the White House, including the man himself.

"As I was aware, it was the White House," McGregor said on the Smash Cast podcast this week. "I was up for the White House. I know the administration was strong for me to be in the White House. It was McGregor versus Chandler."

🚨 Conor McGregor says he was originally supposed to fight Michael Chandler at the White House, but the UFC changed their mind and kept making different offers 😬

He says the vibes he's getting is he'll be fighting the winner of the BMF title fight between Oliveira and Holloway… pic.twitter.com/6TeIMQft11

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 7, 2026

He continued: "The story was built in; Chandler is a standup guy, he's electric in the cage. He comes to bring it. I'm the Mac. I'll fly through the air in an opponent like Chandler. It would have been dynamite as a fight. And somewhere down the line... [they said] maybe we're going to go with you for International Fight Week.

"[I said] no problem [and they said] maybe we're going to leave Chandler. I do like Chandler. I have been preparing for him for the last two years.

"I feel a bit weird; he deserves to go after the waiting and it would be a great fight. It gets me back in there but you know they feared off it. You know I'm not going to I'm not going to be too picky. I have to get back. I'm eager to get back. I've been out and love myself. So I'm sorry, Chandler, it is what it is. "