The UFC’s most ambitious event of 2026 is shaping up to be unlike anything the sport has seen before. Planned as a national celebration on the White House lawn on June 14, the so-called UFC White House card is expected to feature some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. Since President Donald Trump publicly announced the event, fighters across the roster have been campaigning for a spot on what many believe will be the most high-profile UFC card ever staged.
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has expressed interest in returning after a five-year absence, while Jon Jones reportedly reversed his brief retirement after learning about the event. UFC commentator Jon Anik has even suggested the card could feature as many as seven title fights.
But despite that star power, a newly revealed rule may quietly remove several elite champions from contention.
A rule that changes everything
The issue surfaced after former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili discussed plans for a trilogy bout against current champion Petr Yan. According to Dvalishvili, the UFC has already ruled out that fight taking place at the White House — not because of rankings or timing, but because of Yan’s nationality.
“They told me our fight will not happen at the White House in June because he is Russian, and that’s impossible,” Dvalishvili said in a recent interview.
If accurate, that restriction would immediately eliminate multiple divisions from the June 14 card.
Why Makhachev and Chimaev may be affected
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev are two of the most dominant fighters in the sport today. Both hail from regions within Russia — Dagestan and Chechnya — and both would logically be centrepieces of any “best possible” UFC card.
Under the rule described by Dvalishvili, however, their nationality alone could disqualify them from appearing at the White House event, regardless of merit, drawing power or championship status.
That possibility has raised eyebrows, particularly given previous comments from UFC president Dana White.
Dana White’s earlier comments add confusion
When asked last year whether the White House card would prioritise American fighters, White dismissed the idea outright.
“It’s not America versus the world,” he said at a press conference. “It’s what’s the best card we can build.”
Those remarks appeared to leave the door open for international champions such as Makhachev and Chimaev. If Russian nationality is now a disqualifying factor, it would represent a significant shift — or at least a contradiction — in how the event is being framed publicly.
A political card, not just a sporting one
The UFC White House event is already unprecedented, blending elite sport with national politics and symbolism. If nationality-based exclusions are indeed in place, the card may end up reflecting diplomatic realities as much as competitive ones.
For fans, the result could be a spectacle stacked with star power — but missing some of the very best fighters in the world. And for champions like Makhachev and Chimaev, it may mean sitting out the UFC’s biggest stage through no fault of their own.
As details continue to emerge, one thing is clear: the UFC White House card will be historic — but not without controversy.
