The idea of UFC on the South Lawn sounded like a meme—until the biggest address in America chimed in. Momentum around a “UFC: White House” super-card is spiking, with champions, legends, and headline-grabbers circling the same date. What started as chatter now feels tangible, and the pieces are moving fast.
“See you on the South Lawn” — the spark that lit the fuse
When the official account for the White House posted its coy invite, the concept jumped from rumor to cultural moment.
SEE YOU ON THE SOUTH LAWN @UFC pic.twitter.com/02HoAdxc9e
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 20, 2025
Super-card rumors: McGregor, Jones… and now Chimaev?
Speculation spiraled: a Conor McGregor return fight, calls for Jon Jones to appear, and—crucially—fresh smoke around Khamzat Chimaev defending his newly won middleweight crown on the South Lawn. The running joke is that this could become “the greatest sporting event in history”—hyperbole, sure, but the names being floated explain the hype.
The UFC White House card has potential to be the greatest sporting event in history 🤯🇺🇸
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) September 21, 2025
- Conor McGregor announced his return against Michael Chandler
- Daniel Cormier told Dana White to let Jon Jones fight on the card
- Khamzat Chimaev hinted at fighting
Dana White:… pic.twitter.com/i37zT77OxF
Chimaev’s hint: champion energy, presidential backdrop
Fresh off capturing the 185-lb title, Khamzat Chimaev fanned the flames with a cryptic post—no words necessary. The message landed anyway: the champ is game, and the setting would be surreal.
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) September 20, 2025
Who gets the shot at 185? The middleweight maze
If “UFC: White House” becomes real, the matchmaking at middleweight is the puzzle. A straight rematch with Dricus Du Plessis is the cleanest option: former champ, unfinished business, easy to sell. The form runner outside a rematch is Nassourdine Imavov, whose recent surge and measured striking scream “five-round main event.”
Wild-card watch: Sean Strickland brings proven cardio and a volume style that forces chaos; Reinier De Ridder would be a fascinating grappling foil if talks ever crossed promotions; and don’t sleep on Anthony Hernandez, who has quietly turned pressure, pace, and top-game menace into upset fuel.
What about the rest of the card?
For a spectacle this big, expect multiple headline-level attractions. A UFC stage on the South Lawn virtually demands star power: a McGregor showcase, a Jones moment, and a thunderous middleweight title fight would fit the bill. Whether all three land on the same night is another story—but the drip-feed of hints is doing its job.
Bottom line
Until contracts are signed, it’s still rumor season. But the ingredients are here: an iconic venue, a willing champion in Chimaev, and a queue of legit contenders—Du Plessis, Imavov, Strickland, De Ridder, Hernandez—ready to test him. If the South Lawn lights up, this could be one of the most watched nights in modern MMA.
