UFC White House card fighter reveals strict rules in place for historic event
Steve Garcia, who will feature on the UFC Freedom 250 card, has given an insight into the selection process.
A fighter on the UFC Freedom 250 card has detailed some of the strict rules that have been put in place for the event.
On the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, around 5,000 spectators – including 1,000 members of the military – will watch one of the most anticipated events in UFC history alongside US President Donald Trump.
It was announced on Sunday that Ilia Topuria will defend his undisputed lightweight belt against Justin Gaethje in the main event.
Alex Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, while Michael Chandler, Sean O'Malley, Bo Nickal and Steve Garcia will also take part in the event, which has been created to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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Garcia, who will take on former featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes, gave his reaction to being named on the card while speaking to YouTube channel MMA Junkie.
At the start of the 22-minute interview, Garcia mentioned that the UFC wanted fighters involved on the card to have a clean criminal record.
Asked if coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn will be in his corner at the White House, Garcia mentioned the strict process that has been put in place for the event on June 14.
"Yeah, I mean, I'm working on Greg right now. He may or may not go, but yeah, as of right now, everybody that's typically in my corner is going to be there," he said.
"I really don't know any of the details that I'm allowed to talk about. This is just a whole different type of game, I guess, when it comes to being at the White House.
"You've got to have clearances, and you've got to have a clean record. The people with you, I think, also need to have clean records. So there's a lot to play into it, so I don't know exactly what it's all going to entail."
"I think I'm going to find out this week and the weeks to come," added Garcia.
Asked to clarify the 'clean record' comment, Garcia says he spoke to Hunter Campbell, the UFC's chief business officer, about the process.
"I talked to Hunter," the 33-year-old said. "He wanted to make sure that I didn't have anything on my record or anything like that. And I told him I was good, which I’m solid. All I do is train, brother."
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
Topics: UFC
Jack Kenmare