UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik believes President Donald Trump may be telling the truth when it comes to an absurd amount of title fights for the upcoming UFC White House event.
Trump recently said that the proposed June 14 event could feature “eight or nine” championship fights. And while Anik doesn’t believe we see that many, he thinks it could get real close.
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“So eight sounds idealistic, and awfully ambitious,” Anik said on the JAXXON Podcast. “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.”
As of now, only two undisputed title fights are on the books for 2026 — Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes at UFC 324, and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 at UFC 325. The other title fight is for the interim lightweight belt between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 on Jan. 24.
UFC 326 is headlined by Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2 for the ‘BMF’ belt on March 7.
Because of those factors, Anik sees the pathway for the UFC’s White House debut to be on another playing field in regards to title fights, and magnitude of stakes for one event.
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“Well, if you think about it, they’re getting UFC 324 and UFC 325 in the can by Feb. 1,” Anik explained. “All of those champions are going to be cleared. The month of February, I think, has no numbered events, right? Then, the first numbered event in March is being headlined by a non-undisputed title — the ‘BMF’ belt — which doesn’t really count, right?
“And then you think a numbered event in April or May, and then June 14, a lot of these champions are going to be available, if not held out. The heavyweight title, Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, probably going to be on the White House lawn — maybe Aspinall [with the eye injury]. I think, what you are going to get in first or second 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, potentially.”
