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Topics: Conor McGregor, Dana White, UFC, MMA
Jack Kenmare
Dana White wants former two-division champion Conor McGregor to make a statement and headline the much-talked-about UFC White House event in 2026.
Last month, White confirmed that the UFC will hold a live event at the White House on July 4 next year – an idea that was publicly mentioned by president Donald Trump at a rally in Iowa.
It has since emerged that weigh-ins for the fights will reportedly take place at the Lincoln Memorial, with fighters warming up for their fights inside the White House itself. The Octagon will be set up on the South Lawn.
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Since the announcement was made, a number of high-profile fighters have registered their interest in competing on the card, including Jon Jones and Conor McGregor.
McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but the bout was cancelled just two weeks beforehand after the former two-weight champion suffered a broken toe in training.
The Irishman, who hasn't fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, went months without talking about his future in the sport as he concentrated on launching a bid for the Irish presidency.
But it appears he is keen on headlining the UFC White House event, with Dana White speaking about that prospect during a recent interview with YouTube channel The W.A.D.E. Concept.
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"Say what you will about Conor McGregor because people like to talk sh*t about that too, but he is that guy, and he's always been that guy," said White.
"I've been in the room. I've been on the phone. Lots of people like to talk tough publicly, but behind the scenes, it's a whole other ballgame. When the sh*t hits the fan, who's really willing to go out, and Conor McGregor has always been that guy."
Asked who was at the top of his list to headline the event, White responded: "Conor McGregor."
Touching on next year's event in Washington, White gave an insight into what fans can expect.
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"I love one-of-one type events, like the Sphere last year for UFC Noche," said White. "The White House is literally the unicorn of one of one events.
"We're going to be on the South Lawn. We'll have under 5,000 fans on the South Lawn, and then the park that is connected to the White House, we'll have 85,000 people with screens. We're doing big stage over there. We're going to do concerts.
"We're literally going to take over Washington D.C. that entire week," he added. "We're going to do International Fight Week there, so UFC X will be there, and lots of other things that we're working on."
McGregor has already suggested he will feature on the UFC White House card. Shortly after the plans emerged, he took to social media platform X and simply wrote in block capitals: "McGregor's return!"