The Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make history on June 14th, hosting an unprecedented event on the South Lawn of the White House. Part of Donald Trump’s celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary, UFC President Dana White had promised to deliver the greatest fight card the promotion has ever produced for this unique occasion.
However, the build-up to the event has been overshadowed by allegations of a political directive. According to reports from GiveMeSport, Donald Trump reportedly banned Russian fighters from competing at the event. This claim was echoed by former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who stated that the American president personally stopped all Russian fighters from being included on the card.
Russian stars reportedly sidelined
The alleged ban has significant implications for the roster, potentially excluding some of the sport’s biggest names. Two major Russian UFC stars, Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev, were notably absent from the revealed card. Dvalishvili himself cited this policy when ruling out a world championship rematch against Petr Yan, stating it would be “impossible” for Yan to compete due to his nationality. The official fight card, unveiled during the broadcast of UFC 326, indeed features not a single Russian fighter, lending credence to the claims.
The White House card revealed
Despite the controversy, the card itself boasts significant star power. The main event will feature a highly anticipated clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. In a major move, Alex Pereira is set to make his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane, a bout that generated considerable buzz. Other notable matchups include:
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- Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy
- Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
- Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
The event saw incredible demand from fighters eager to compete on such a historic stage. While stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones had expressed their desire to fight, they ultimately did not make the cut, unlike Alex Pereira who secured his spot.
Donald Trump first hinted at the White House event last summer, leading to initial doubts about its feasibility. However, Dana White and his team met with President Trump multiple times for planning, culminating in this unique spectacle. While the card features a strong lineup, the alleged exclusion of Russian talent remains a prominent talking point, potentially impacting White’s promise of the greatest card in UFC history.
Sources: www.givemesport.com
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