Jon Anik thinks a record number of title fights could happen at UFC White House, even if it doesn’t meet President Trump’s prediction of near double digits.
As the UFC schedule flips to 2026 and anticipation further builds to the expected June 14 event on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C., speculation continues to grow about what the card will actually look like.
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UFC CEO Dana White has made assurances it will be a landmark event with significant stakes, depth and star power. However, White said he won’t start building the fight card until February when he has a clearer picture of what fights will be booked and who will be available.
Longtime lead UFC play-by-play commentator Anik thinks things are shaping up for something truly special, and sees a real chance the current record of three undisputed title fights on one card gets utterly smashed, even if it doesn’t meet President Trump’s statement of eight or nine.
“Eight sounds idealistic and awfully ambitious, but I do believe that we are moving in a direction in which you might see six or seven undisputed titles contested on the White House lawn,” Anik said on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “If you think about it, they’re getting UFC 324 and UFC 325 in the can by Feb. 1. All those champions are going to be cleared. The month of February then has no numbered events, then the first numbered even in March is being headlined by a non-undisputed title, the BMF beit, which doesn’t really count. Then you think of a numbered even in April or May, then June 14 – a lot of these champions are going to be available, if not held out.”
Anik took it a step further, naming which currently titleholders he could envision being available for the landmark showcase of the sport, which is expected to stream on Paramount+.
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“The heavyweight title, Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, is going to be on the White House lawn,” Anik said. “I think what you are going to get first or seconds quarter is like Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira, but Khamzat Chimaev, probably going to fight on the White House lawn. Alex Pereira, why would you trot him out there sooner? He’s already said he wants to wait for the White House. Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan, complete their trilogy potentially.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jon Anik predicts ‘six or seven’ title fights at UFC White House
