This past summer, President Donald Trump floated the idea of staging a UFC event on the White House lawn as part of celebrations surrounding the upcoming semiquincentennial of American independence, but Sean Strickland wants no part of it.
The prospect of an octagon set against one of the most iconic backdrops in the world quickly captured the imagination of fans, pundits, and fighters alike, sparking widespread speculation about what such an unprecedented event might look like.
However, not everyone is sold on the idea. Sean Strickland, the former UFC Middleweight Champion, has poured cold water on the concept, offering a blunt and controversial take while also dragging politics and the infamous/salacious Epstein controversy into the conversation.
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Sean Strickland Breaks From the Crowd, Backs Star Flyweight on UFC White House Idea
While MMA juggernaut UFC has staged countless events across the globe since its inception in 1993, the Las Vegas Strip has remained its home base, be it inside T-Mobile Arena or at the more budget-friendly UFC Apex. In short, from its debut in Denver, Colorado, to recent trips into new international markets, the promotion has proven that there are few limits on where it can go.
Last year, Dana White and company pushed the envelope further with the Noche UFC event at the Vegas Sphere, showcasing just how far the company is willing to go, opening the door to entirely new possibilities. That spectacle came at a steep price, with production costs reportedly exceeding $20 million, making it the most expensive event venue in the promotion’s history.
Now, as the sport hurls towards the new year, an unlikely location, the White House, has emerged as a talking point that continues to keep the MMA community buzzing. While some reports have suggested a potential date of July 26, speculation remains widespread, with several high-profile stars, including Conor McGregor, Kayla Harrison, and Ilia Topuria, publicly expressing interest in participating in the event.
Sean Strickland Discusses UFC White House Card on Stream
Naturally, when streamer Adin Ross recently caught up with former UFC 185-lb king Sean Strickland, the topic came up. Ross floated the idea directly, telling him, “I’d love for you to fight at the White House,” setting the stage for the blunt response that followed.
“That’d be dope, dude,” the 34-year-old replied, initially sounding receptive before referencing comments previously made by flyweight contender Brandon Royval. “Some guy fought, and he said that he doesn’t really want to fight in front of billionaires, and I do understand that.”
Sean Strickland isn't interested in fighting at the UFC White House event:
"Just to go hang out with the f***ing Epstein list, I'm good dude."
(via @adinross) pic.twitter.com/kPT9SGvh1X
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 19, 2025
Last month, Brandon Royval, the 33-year-old flyweight publicly pushed back on the White House concept, suggesting the idea of performing in front of wealthy elites did little to motivate him, likening the spectacle to the popular Hollywood blockbuster, The Hunger Games. Echoing that sentiment, but taking it a step further, Sean Strickland then delivered his most pointed remark of the exchange – “If there was some inclusion fans, it’d be more, but just to go hang out with the (expletive deleted) Epstein list, I’m good dude.”
Sean Strickland Entertaining Other Prospects Like Hernandez
For Strickland, the concept appears to be a non-starter. True to his unfiltered reputation, the former champion made it clear that the novelty of fighting at one of the world’s most recognizable locations does little to outweigh his discomfort with the optics surrounding such an event.
For now, his focus remains firmly inside the Octagon. Strickland was spotted preparing for his upcoming five-round main event against Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Fight Night, scheduled for Feb. 21, underscoring that while the White House talk continues to swirl, his priorities remain strictly competitive.
