Bas Rutten wants to see every UFC champion defend their belts on the White House card.
MMA’s premier promotion will host a show at President Donald Trump’s official residence in June 2026.
Upon hearing about the event, Jon Jones ended his brief retirement and called to headline the card.
Conor McGregor has also expressed his desire to fight at the White House after four years away from the Octagon – but UFC CEO Dana White insists he won’t be making any matchmaking decisions until next February.
- THROWBACK: Joe Rogan claimed knockout artist was ‘never the same again’ after Jon Jones ‘destroyed his legs’
Bas Rutten’s ideal UFC White House headliner
UFC legend Bas Rutten has remained locked into MMA since retiring from the sport in 2006.
‘El Guapo’ is excited about the once-in-a-lifetime event at the White House, which he believes should feature all 13 UFC champions (including BMF titleholder Max Holloway) defending their belts in a truly epic night of nights.
“Line everybody up,” Rutten said during an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow’s Darren Murray.
“Khamzat [Chimaev] has to fight there. Just every champion, I believe, needs to have a fight there.”
If his left-field pitch fails to come to fruition, Rutten hopes to see Jon Jones headline the epic event.
“For me, it was Aspinall-Jones,” Rutten added when asked who should be the White House main event.
“Listen, if Jon commits, he commits. That’s the guy he is. And especially the White House.
“This is a one-time deal. Maybe it might never happen again. Hopefully, we get another president later on who loves fighting as well and can do it again. But this is the very first time. You know, you make history.
“It’s never been done at the White House, and the whole world will notice. Everybody’s going to watch.
“So, knowing Jon Jones, and I hope he gets the money that he wants, because Jon, in my eyes, could be the best guy ever.”
“It’s literally a 50/50. Whoever shows up the best that night is going to win it.”
Dana White hints at Conor McGregor main event
Bas Rutten’s plan would rule out Conor McGregor making his eagerly anticipated comeback at the White House, which appears to be very likely based on Dana White’s most recent comments about the card.
“[Jon Jones] is the greatest of all time. I still know that to be a fact,” the UFC boss said last week.
“But he’s not the greatest of all time, ‘Guy you can count on that you know 100 per cent is going to be solid and be there’. Say what you want about Conor McGregor, because people like to talk s— about that too, but he is that guy.
“There are a lot of guys who talk tough publicly, but behind the scenes, it’s a whole other ball game.
“When the s— hits the fan, who’s really willing to go out there? Conor McGregor has always been that guy.”
