As the UFC inches closer to staging an unprecedented event at the White House next year, not everyone in the MMA world is impressed by the growing chorus of fighters campaigning for a spot. Among the loudest critics is UFC legend Chael Sonnen, who has taken aim at Jon Jones and several others for publicly lobbying to compete on the historic card.
White House UFC event sparks fighter frenzy
The UFC is expected to be a major feature of America’s 250th Independence celebration in 2026, with a landmark event planned in Washington D.C. on June 14. The concept was first floated by President Donald Trump last summer, followed by additional updates from UFC CEO Dana White as the promotion evaluates logistics and potential layouts for the venue.
With hype surrounding the event building, fighters across divisions have begun voicing their desire to be included — particularly reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has been the most outspoken about wanting a slot on the card.
Dana White recently confirmed that UFC officials have already visited the venue and created initial designs. The event is also expected to include a high-profile dinner hosted for international dignitaries ahead of the fights, signaling the scale of what the UFC hopes to deliver.
Chael Sonnen calls out Jon Jones & others
While many see this as a historic opportunity, Chael Sonnen believes the push from fighters — especially Jones — is premature at best and absurd at worst. Speaking with TNT Sports during UFC 322 fight week, Sonnen ripped into the athletes publicly campaigning for a fight that, in his view, barely exists in concrete form.
“I think (Jon Jones is) hanging his hat on the wrong thing,” Sonnen said, directly questioning the heavyweight champion’s fixation on the White House card.
He didn’t stop there, widening his criticism to other fighters jumping on the trend.
“All of these guys that are talking about the White House are weirdos, quite frankly. It’s just a strange thing to discuss.”
Sonnen argued that the entire situation remains too uncertain for fighters to be lobbying for spots, highlighting how many times the proposed date and details have shifted.
“They are talking about fighting at a venue that does not currently exist,” he continued. “In a four-week period, we discussed that it was going to be on July 4, and now it’s going to be on June 26, and now apparently it’s going to be on June 14.”
From no crowd to 5,000 spectators to a projected 85,000 attendance, the details have fluctuated wildly — and that inconsistency is exactly what Sonnen believes makes the fighters’ public campaigning misguided.
“It’s a card with a promoter who isn’t licensed, doesn’t exist, at a venue that is yet to be built! So these guys that are talking about wanting to fight on it, do I sound like a tough guy if I tell you I want to fight on Mars?”
Despite Sonnen’s critique, interest from top athletes shows no signs of slowing.