UFC president Dana White has confirmed he personally chose every fight on the June 14 White House lawn card, selecting matchups he believes hold genuine significance in their divisions. Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast earlier this month, White said he reviewed a full slate of potential pairings from his matchmaking team before finalising the line-up for the Washington D.C. showcase.
White’s hands-on matchmaking approach
Contrary to recent suggestions that UFC matchmakers and chief business officer Hunter Campbell call the shots, White insists he took the final decision on which bouts would feature at the historic event. “I have a matchmaking team. The matchmakers went out and laid out every fight that was possible, and then I picked the card,” White explained. He added that his criteria centred on “what fights really matter in the division, what fights we think would be great fights, and who can I count on that I know is gonna show up and deliver.”
This admission marks a departure from the narrative that White has minimal involvement in crafting fight cards—a line he has adopted in recent months when discussing event planning. By personally curating the White House card, he ensured a blend of established stars and rising contenders would compete on the South Lawn.
Excluding Jon Jones and late additions
One of the more notable consequences of White’s direct involvement was the decision to omit former two-division champion Jon Jones from the card. Earlier this year, White publicly rejected Jones’ appeals to return for the White House event, suggesting the ex-champion could not be relied upon for such a high-profile show.
White’s selection process did, however, leave room for last-minute changes. The clash between Josh Hokit and Derrick Lewis was not on the original list presented by the matchmakers but was added following a personal request from President Donald Trump. That bout joins a roster that already included some of the UFC’s biggest names and rising talents.
Key matchups and division stakes
Headlining the card is the lightweight championship clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, while Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira will battle for interim heavyweight gold. Those marquee bouts are supported by star-versus-star encounters such as Sean O’Malley versus Aiemann Zahabi, Michael Chandler against Mauricio Ruffy, Bo Nickal versus Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes opposed by Steve Garcia.
By prioritising fights that “really matter,” White sought to balance title implications with audience appeal. Each matchup carries significance in its respective division, whether it be a championship contest or a bout between two fast-rising prospects.
White’s admissions shed new light on the organisation of what is set to be the UFC’s most unconventional event to date. His hands-on approach suggests that, despite public appearances, he remains deeply involved in shaping the sport’s top cards.
FAQ
Who chose the fights for the UFC White House event?
UFC president Dana White said he personally selected every fight for the June 14 card, after receiving a full list of potential matchups from his matchmakers.
Which bouts headline the White House card?
The event is headlined by Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje, and Ciryl Gane taking on Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight championship.
Why was Jon Jones not included on the card?
White publicly rejected Jones’ requests to return for the White House event, stating the former champion could not be relied upon for the high-profile occasion.
How did Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis get on the card?
That matchup was added later at the personal request of President Donald Trump, after the original line-up had been finalised by White.
