Jon Jones or Conor McGregor? One of the UFC’s leading stars says neither.
The topic of a UFC event on the White House lawn has been prominent ever since president Donald Trump announced plans to stage a title fight at the venue to celebrate 250 years of American Independence in 2026.
In the months since, that’s grown into a full card, with Dana White promising big things and even recently revealing renderings of what the event will look like.
Unsurprisingly, a host of big-name fighters want in. As well as Jon Jones calling for a White House comeback fight, Conor McGregor has pointed to the event as being perfect for his return.
But one confident UFC champion seemingly expects to edge both men out.
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Ilia Topuria is confident he’ll be the UFC White House main event
When it comes to the biggest active stars currently competing in the UFC, not many can hold a candle to Ilia Topuria. The lightweight king has cemented his status as arguably the promotion’s leading name by winning gold at both 145 and 155 pounds.
Uncertainty currently surrounds the Spaniard’s first fight since UFC 317, where Topuria brutally knocked out Charles Oliveira. Three contenders have been pushing for the first shot at unseating ‘El Matador’, with Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, and Arman Tsarukyan all believing they have a case.
Whoever does get the nod could be challenging for gold in the main event at the White House, according to Topuria. And if anyone disagrees with that being a possibility, the champ is willing to put something on the line.
“Who wants to bet with me that I’m the main event at the White House?” Topuria wrote on X.
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Paddy Pimblett wants to fight Ilia Topuria in enemy territory
While Topuria remains without an announced opponent for his first defense, one man has undoubtedly been the most vocal in calling his shot.
In addition to the history between the pair, Pimblett faced off with Topuria at UFC 317. And the Scouser has continued to try to set up the fight in the months since, most recently by calling ‘El Matador’ out for a fight in his home nation.
“I want to fight Ilia, whenever, wherever,” Pimblett told eldoberdanMMA.
“I’d love to come to Bernabéu and punch your face in. Do it in Spain in front of your fake countrymen because you’re really German.
“I’d love to come and punch your face in in front of 90,000 people in the Bernabéu in enemy territory for me because the Bernabéu is a s—hole,” Pimblett added.