Former UFC champ thinks UFC White House needs to avoid too many title fights

Kamaru Usman thinks putting too many title fights on the UFC White House card is a bad idea.

Lineup plans are still up in the air for the proposed June 14 event, which promises to be one of the most watched events in the history of combat sports. President Donald Trump was first to bring up the possibility of at least eight title fights taking place at the White House, with UFC commentator Jon Anik recently projecting there could be “six or seven” title fights in the works.

Advertisement

On his Pound 4 Pound podcast with co-host Henry Cejudo, Usman explained why having more than a handful of UFC championship bouts could be excessive.

“First and foremost, they’re saying that it won’t even be open to the public,” Usman said. “So right there, it’s kind of there’s an asterisk by it. Then they’re talking this six, seven title fights. First and foremost, pardon my French, but who the f*ck wants to watch seven title fights back to back? Five-round title fights back to back to back? What if four or five or six in a row are boring?”

The UFC rarely books more than two title fights for any major event, which Usman and Cejudo believe is for good reason. Some of the promotion’s most dominant champions, including Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, and Valentina Shevchenko have occasionally been criticized – especially by more casual fans – for putting on forgettable title defenses despite their undeniable impressive achievements.

In Cejudo’s opinion, having several title fights accompanied by standard three-round matchups that are guaranteed to deliver from an action standpoint is the best way to ensure UFC White House is a hit.

Advertisement

“You’re 100 percent right because five rounds in comparison to three rounds, I think you do maybe two to three title fights, that’s it,” Cejudo said. “The rest should all be possibly Fight of the Nights, blood rematches, fights that have gone in the history books. Like, I wouldn’t mind seeing Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum. Fight of the Year, make those two dudes scrap.

“People that are going to fight there, you’ve got to put the best performers there, but it doesn’t mean you’ve got to put the champions because the champions, they’re not the best entertainers, too.”

No bouts have been made official, though marquee names like Jones and Conor McGregor have offered their services for the historic card.

However the lineup shapes up, Usman hopes it’s comprised more of hungry fighters as opposed to defending champions.

Advertisement

“First of all, we want to see contender fights,” Usman said. “We want to see guys who are willing to go risk their lives out there. When you’re the champion, your whole goal is to keep that. You want to be smart. You want to be tactical. You want to strategically retain your title.

“Champions aren’t going out there to just go, ‘Yeah, we’re going to throw caution the wind and just swing for the fences like we’re in a bar fight.’ That’s not what champions do because that’s not what gets you to be a champion. You’ve got to be smarter than everybody else. So this whole notion of let’s put six title fights on there, I think that’s a bad idea and honestly, I might be asleep by Title Fight 3. I might be asleep.”

For White’s part, he hasn’t committed to any names for UFC White House, and it’s possible the lineup will have a significantly different composition than a typical fight night. Given his close relationship with President Trump, White is certain to put his best foot forward, according to Usman.

“Dana White – and we’ve got to give props where props is due – Dana White knows how to put this together better than anyone,” Usman said. “He knows how to run a show and he’s going to understand that putting seven, eight title fights on one card is ridiculous. It’s stupid. Well, I don’t want to say stupid, but it’s ridiculous, because what if six of them are boring? And they all go five rounds? I’m walking out by the fourth one. Bro, I’m tired. I’ve got to go home. The kids need to get ready for school the next day.

Advertisement

“So yeah, I think Dana White’s going to pull it together the proper way because this is what he does better than anyone right now and that’s making sure that the fans and everyone at home gets a fantastic show.”

Mail. Jed Meshew is asked if MMA will ever be fun again.

Before. Take a look back at the biggest movers and shakers in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings compared to last January.

Next. The MMA Fighting crew looks ahead to figure out who will close 2026 with UFC gold around their waist.

Forever. Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier still aren’t getting along, even after filming a reality show together.

Advertisement

Numbers. Dana White provides a projected attendance figure—VIPs only—for UFC White House.

Legacy. LFA lives on with new broadcasting partner after UFC Fight Pass exit.

Weekend viewing.

Arnold Allen talks to Home of Fight ahead of his UFC 324 duel with Jean Silva.

Duane Ludwig hangs out with his buddy T.J. on the JAXXON podcast.

Thoughts and prayers.

Question of the Day.