Not everyone is eager to fight at the event Dana White is calling the biggest in UFC history.
Back in June, Donald Trump floated the idea of a UFC event at the White House. It did not take long for it to pick up steam, and it is now set for 14 June, 2026.
The card will celebrate 250 years of American independence and is expected to be stacked with big names and exciting matchups.
For instance, Conor McGregor plans to make his return that night, and fighters like Kayla Harrison and Ilia Topuria have shown interest as well.
But not everyone is on board. Brandon Royval has made it clear he is not interested in taking part.
Sean Strickland backs Brandon Royval’s anti-UFC White House stance
Royval has not held back his views on UFC White House, and plenty of fans seem to agree with him. The flyweight contender compared fighting in front of the president and other high-profile guests to something straight out of The Hunger Games.
Now, Sean Strickland has voiced his support for Royval’s stance. When fan reactions started popping up online, Strickland explained why he agreed but admitted he would still be willing to take part if offered.
“It will just be the boys club and political elites but I hope I’m wrong.
“I’d fight on it but I get what he is saying. He’s 100 percent right,” he added in response to another fan,” said the former middleweight champion.
Jon Jones keen to make White House card return
Jon Jones, on the other hand, has taken a very different approach compared to Royval and Strickland.
The UFC GOAT contender quickly reversed his recent retirement talk following the event announcement and began pushing for a comeback.
Dana White has so far turned down those requests, pointing to Jones’ track record of pulling out of fights. But the Rochester native has not given up hope just yet.
‘Bones’ has continued to campaign for a super-fight against Alex Pereira at the White House, most recently releasing a video promo hyping up his desired return in 2026.
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