UFC event at White House captures the Trump brand
And the timing of the announcement was no mistake…
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News of White House hosting UFC event drops at perfect time
Smack dab in the middle of the UFC’s ongoing media rights negotiations, President Donald Trump announced during a speech on Thursday in Iowa that the White House will host a UFC event next year. It will be one of the many events to be held to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, one that would instantly stand as the single biggest event in UFC history.
Turning the South Lawn at the White House into the fight center of the universe will spark mainstream attention across the world. For a global fight promotion, the event would be worth its weight in gold. Especially with President Trump prominently involved.
Of course, the announcement from Trump couldn’t have been timed any better. UFC is still working on its next media rights deal–where Netflix is expected to gain some of the most prominent events–and a White House card just made the deal that much more lucrative.
There will be plenty of criticism heaped upon the president if this event comes to fruition, but it perfectly fits Trump’s ethos. Long before he was elected president, he was known for hosting the biggest fights. No different than George W. Bush was with baseball, or Barack Obama with basketball, Trump is known for his connection with pro fighting. His friendship with UFC CEO Dana White predates his foray into politics, and Trump is a constant presence at major UFC events.
Holding an event of this magnitude cannot be easy for the Secret Service, but it will be a spectacle unlike anything the UFC has ever produced. It would not disappoint, and the card would have to be spectacular.
If a UFC card actually takes place on the White House grounds, expect fireworks. While Conor McGregor has already expressed interest–and that could be the only time we witness McGregor and Michael Chandler fight–it makes more sense to highlight the best fighters in the world. That includes Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, and perhaps even the return of Jon Jones.
The whole idea of this card already feels far-fetched, and adding McGregor would present a whole different level of unpredictability. That is why–if this does happen–it feels like too much of a reach to have McGregor involved.
Yet who would have thought the UFC would ever hold an event at the White House? In this case, perhaps it is best to expect the unexpected.
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