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‘Set your expectations very low’: Fans react to Dana White’s UFC White House hype, biggest MMA stories of the week

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Dana White and Donald Trump | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dana White is telling everyone to expect big things if the UFC heads to the White House, but some fans are skeptical as to whether White and President Donald Trump can deliver.

In an interview on the Full Send podcast, White said he has been in communication with Trump over the proposed UFC White House event that would take place on July 4, 2026 to commemorate the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebration.

“We had already had my team already went and walked the White House, we did all the logistics and we’re putting together sort of the layout for it right now,” White said. “Probably going to pitch it to [the president] in the next week or two.”

White added that there are plenty of challenges to overcome, especially when it comes to security, but whoever is in attendance will be part of a “unique, amazing experience” that is “so unique” and “so bad ass.”

Fans have responded with questions as to whether the UFC can possibly live up to these promises and whether such an idea is even worth pursuing given the day-to-day crises the U.S. is currently dealing with.

Check out your reactions to White’s latest comments below.

Igl00Man
Set your expectations very low, so that way you won’t be disappointed…
Or at least won’t be too disappointed.
MIldoggyMan
I fully believe this will happen because Dana will jump all over being able to book a supercard that’s paid for by the taxpayers.
stippenstoh
“You guys can’t handle the main event card. Trust me, the UFC 300 main event UFC White House card is going to be crazy.”
Be subpar for Ja’Marr
It’s kinda hilarious taxpayers could pay up to 25-50 million to set up this event when the Capital One arena is 0.8 miles away and holds 20k people
Edged
So, basically will just be an exclusive private event for the elite & rich funded by the tax payers. Sounds about right for this administration.
Sure would be nice if the UFC instead prioritized actually putting on a good affordable show for its actual fans.
Hardyharhar
It will trickle down to benefit poor people like Nate Diaz and Luke Rockhold
SexyFatGuy
This is a card that I would mostly be for.
The UFC has blown chunks lately. I just watched another (yea, another) vid on why this is. The guy had some good points. Among them were the cards now all ran together, and there were no story lines for any of the fights anymore.
No big press conferences. The ones they did have came off as corporate board room meetings.
No hero’s and no villains. This card would have plenty of villains. Right off the top ya get Trump and White. Then whatever fighter(s) emerge.
I hope by the time July 4, 2026 comes around- that there’s better headliners than CM or Jones. If one of those guys is the top billing- the UFC would come off as a 70s rock band playing their two or three hit songs.
So even though they’re not American- my hope now is that Ilia and Islam each have another win under their belt.
MoodCrusher
Jones and Conor starring a card in celebration of America… LMAO
mburtoni
I’m not religious, but I will pray to the MMA gods for this card to be ravaged by the injury bug so that we wind up with a hilarious Apex-quality main event.
MMAY
Homelessness crisis, Inflation, US Tax dollars funding other countries wars and healthcare.
Perfect time for the center of our government to hold a once outlawed sporting event!
LaRusso
As insanely difficult as this event might be to put on, it really would be a momentous event. 250th anniversary, July 4th, at The White House, every fighter wants to be a part of it so the card would probably be stacked. A ton of new eyes would be on the sport so it would most likely grow. And if it grows, fighters would get paid better. There really are a lot of upsides to this. And if this does happen, I just hope we can put aside political differences just for one day and enjoy something awesome together. I don’t think that’s asking for much.

Ben Askren reveals he ‘only died four times’ in first comments since double lung transplant

Ben Askren continues to fight following a double lung transplant and the MMA community has unanimously rallied behind him.

Birdshow1
That was tough to watch, but also heartening compared to where it could’ve ended up. Fight On, Funky.
Graham Douglas
That was incredibly tough to watch. I cannot it believe that is Ben. Warrior spirit. Let’s talk about that. I think all the MMA fighters should find a way to visit him and support him. How about Masvidal show him some love. Just a very moving video. Very grateful he did this. It’s crazy to think about that. Who on gods green earth has died 4 times. Honestly. Does that happen? How rare is Ben for being here after 4 white light encounters? I’m a bit lost for words right now.
Dyomun
Someone is cutting up onions, I swear.
That was a tough watch – not just seeing him so frail, but his words and the struggle he had to get them out without crying. So glad to see he’s doing as well as he possibly could be at this stage though. Hopefully no bumps on the road to recovery from here on out.
Be subpar for Ja’Marr
Couldn’t make it through the whole video… jfc man. Hoping for a recovery. His wife is amazing
NicQ
Doc Ole Nic says loads of love and farniente, take your meds and eat like there ain’t no tomorrow!
Get well Funky Ben ! ❤️ ❤️
NordicFightFan
That might be the toughest video I’ve ever gotten through, in relation to MMA. I briefly saw a thumbnail of a skinny Askren earlier on my Instagram, but I couldn’t recognize him and didn’t read the actual post, so I closed the app down only to then open it about half an hour later and realize the skinny dude was Askren. That hit me bad.
Unc1everBret
Huge respect for posting that video and showing his gratitude. That was hard to watch and emotional not only due to his physical condition but hearing him talk about how much the support meant to him was touching. Best wishes to Ben in his recovery and of course to his family throughout.
Greatknightofights7
The way he smiled when he said “that’s not ideal” was beautiful. For him to have any sense of humor in this situation, even forced, is incredible.

Corey Anderson: ‘Everything I have in an adult life, it came because of Ben Askren’

Speaking of Askren, many were touched by Corey Anderson’s touching tribute to his close friend and mentor.

NicQ
Thanks for sharing Overtime!
Get well Funky Ben! ❤️ ❤️
LEAmaryllis
Damn, got some sand in my eyes reading this.
Hoping Ben pulls through. What an awful situation.
SexyFatGuy
I love stories like this. They’re timeless, and about the good of mankind. We see so much hate going on, it’s nice to see a story about love and admiration.
I wish there were more stories like this in everyday MMA reporting. Maybe they don’t have to put a lump in your throat everyday, but positive how someone in MMA helped someone else, or how they met, or just whatever- would be awesome if it was written about more often.
Here’s to wishing Ben all the best.
chandlerdt
Fantastic to hear; so heart warming. Ben has touched thousands of adults & youths over the years. Many prayers for his lung transplants not rejecting on him.
MoodCrusher
True friendship. True gratitude. Just beautiful.
KarmaMMA
Champ, thank you for reminding us what most of us already know: Ben Askren is a class act!
I had no idea what an impact he’s had on your life but I am moved to tears knowing just how much Ben has done for your life.
Thank you for your beautiful words, Champ.
I’m rooting for you next week, and always, moving forward.
I’ll think of this story whenever I think of you and/or Ben.
My prayers go out to you, Ben and your families, respectively.
I believe Ben Askren is not done yet.
Ben’s got too many people he still has to help!
God, please bless Ben Askren
dorian.gray
Very, very nice of Corey to say these things. It is a nice step outside of usual fighters discourse. Thanks champ!

Rankings Show: If Jon Jones is really gone, does he retire as MMA’s undisputed GOAT?

The MMA Fighting crew ourselves a little debate over Jon Jones’ GOAT status and you folks certainly had your opinions as well.

stippenstoh
He retires as MMA’s undisputed DUCK.
BushSmoosher
Stop it.
Sigurd Jarlson
Hes the GOAT. End of. Thanks for coming.
As a courtesy, we will hear your mental gymnastics filled argument as to why Mighty Mouse, Grease St Pierre or Kabeeb is the Goat. But afterwards, make your way towards the door where we will have a nice consolation prize waiting for you.
Igl00Man
Simple reason as to why all three are in the GOAT discussion, and Jones is not.
Jones has failed multiple drug tests. GSP, DJ, and Khabib have not. End of discussion.
And trying to use GSP’s one greasing incident (that he wasn’t even responsible for, as that would be more blame to throw at his coach/cornerman) as a “smoking gun” to discredit his whole career, when Jones has more recent drug test failures, and in higher quantities, shows a massive folly in your argument.
SexyFatGuy
No-
Undisputed GOAT would mean no one disputes it.
A lot of people dispute Jones. Even without all his legal/steroid issues, people would have different opinions.
My take is if all MMA fighters were in their prime- like not factoring in Anderson’s fall out, just in their prime-
If all the top guys were locked in a room, the one who would walk out of there would be Fedor.
Now, sticking around too long does impact legacy some. There’s no way around it. In baseball Mickey Mantle is no longer a .300 career hitter because he tried to hang on and played a few too many years.
Keyboard-Killah
No way.
For a few reason. Main one being he caught caught with PED’s. that puts the duck king out of contention.
End of story.
Analyst123
Hands down greatest of all time, jon jones. I am just an impartial observer.
aceknighthigh
No too much in the cage cheating putting an asterisk on his accomplishments in addition to the ducking at HW. Also the p4p aspect of it…Jon was almost always the bigger man in the cage, and when dropped the belt to move up to a weight class where he suddenly wasn’t guaranteed to be the biggest guy he suddenly didn’t want to fight all that much. Someone posted a picture of all the champions from years ago (like 2010 or around then) and every champion in there would be considered average to small for an elite fighter at their weight class today except for Jon and maybe Anderson Silva. It’s just hard to call him the “GOAT” when Jon himself thought he needed size advantages, weight advantages, and PED’s to compete while many of his peers simply didn’t (and embraced challenges vs bigger guys).
uwcb
Based only on his record, yes. Based on the totality of his career, no.
Barnabus Dupree
For me, his multiple PED test failures and the hiding from a test taker for another makes it very hard to call him the GOAT. If they didn’t help or if he didn’t think he needed them to beat DC, he wouldn’t have taken them. Maybe more importantly, though, despite what his official record says, I personally think both Gus and Reyes beat him. If he has those two losses on his resume, I don’t think most people would consider him the GOAT. Then he capped his career by moving up and ducking Francis and Aspinall, which doesn’t feel like something the greatest of all time would do.
It’s subjective and that’s my subjective rationale.
Ben_SC
1. No such thing as a “GOAT.”
2. Love him or hate him, Jones is one of the best ever.
3. He isn’t gone; he’s just a moron.
Lobo_Summers
Too 5 without a doubt. GOAT no.
Also I’m tired of all the excuses all the time. Didn’t train for Gus 1, didn’t care about the Reyes fight, didn’t take Santos seriously. It’s always something. Also he was always a dirty fighter and I hate his stance on it, the guy is trying to give me brain damage so it’s cool that I eye poke.
Mighty Mouse and Silva were much more dominant in their prime. And to me will always rank higher.
thebeeobee
Jones destroyed a Mount Rushmore heavyweight in Stipe and wrecked one of the best in the current heavyweight division in Gane.
Smacked up the Strikeforce heavyweight tourney winner multiple times.
Unquestionably #1.
And his undercard fight performances were amazing compared to most.

Retired UFC fighter Tim Kennedy apologizes after admitting to lying about military accolade

Tim Kennedy made the stunning admission that he lied about receiving a Bronze Star with Valor, a tremendous insult to the military community, and has rightfully been lambasted for it.

Daddydaft
I made public statements and gave interviews in which I unintentionally misstated aspects of my military service
Unintentionally? That one word right there makes his entire “apology” one giant nothing burger. Tim is a douche and has always been a douche. And will always be a douche.
UK Watching
Bare faced liar, all intentional.
Related to Liver king?
stippenstoh
“Hey ChatGPT, I lied like a motherfvcker but want to make it look like an accident, can you help a brother out?”
Phalanx7
This particular incident and the long overdue non-apology points to only one of the many, many character flaws that Tim has evidenced during his YouTube career.
Sincerely, wholeheartedly, with prejudice Fuck Tim Kennedy ✌️
RestompTheGroin
From now on, my words will be guided by truth, humility, and respect.
So everything prior to this statement, it was guided by lies, ego and disrespect?
Chris B1
Even if he just owned it straight up he’s done. I’m guessing also if he is B.S.ing this he probably has a history of it as well. His whole life is about to get dissected and he has nobody to blame but himself.
Tuhghn
“I am really sorry that I got caught but you can trust me that from now on I will be the most honest person you have ever met”

In other news…

Derrick Lewis was back at his swangin’ and bangin’ best in the UFC Nashville main event.

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano threw down for the third—and final?—time and while it didn’t live up to the action of their first two encounters, they still had Madison Square Garden rocking.

BKFC continues to make moves with a $25 million tournament announced for March and a handful of notable signings, including former UFC star Yoel Romero.
Ultimate Tire Wrestling? You’ve got to check it out.
According to Charles Oliveira, no one hits harder than Ilia Topuria.
Prayers up for the legendary Randy Couture, who was injured in a hot rod crash.
Don’t forget to check out Season 3 of the MMA Fighting Fantasy Draft!

Rest In Peace, Jeff Brady, longtime operations manager for Bellator and the PFL, who died this past Sunday saving the lives of two drowning children.

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