Conor McGregor Seeks $100M for White House UFC Fight

US President Donald Trump announced in July that he wants to stage a UFC fight in front of the White House as part of the celebration for the 250^th anniversary of the establishment of the USA. Popular MMA star Conor McGregor said he’ll fight in the event if he gets $100 million for his participation.

McGregor Wants $100M for “the” Fight

Aside from the huge sum of money, McGregor also said he would ask for 100 US “Golden Visas” for himself, family, and friends. The “Golden Visas” McGregor mentions are likely tied to the Trump Gold Card immigration program. Trump recently reduced the cost from $5 million to $1 million, offering fast-tracked residency to those who pay the new amount.

McGregor has shown interest in a bout with Michael Chandler, who appeared on Fox News last week and said he’d be open to facing McGregor. McGregor hasn’t stepped into the UFC Octagon since suffering a leg break in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He was scheduled to return against Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, but withdrew just weeks before the event due to a toe injury. McGregor has lost three of his last four UFC appearances.

There Are Many Hurdles to Be Overcome

UFC President and CEO Dana White appeared on Fox News recently to talk about the White House UFC fight, hinting at McGregor’s return. He explained his vision, saying he wants to see a large arch with a lighting grid, designed so that the White House serves as the backdrop on one side of the fight, while the Washington Monument comes into view as the action moves to the other side.

The UFC’s major “America 250” event is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., at the end of June next year, just one week before Independence Day. According to UFC President Dana White, the promotion plans to move its annual International Fight Week from Las Vegas to the nation’s capital, expecting a crowd of over 85,000 fans to watch the event on big screens from President’s Park, with the White House serving as a dramatic backdrop.

The event is poised to be the largest in UFC history. However, it raises questions about whether parent company TKO will be comfortable allowing one of its top fighters to command such a massive payday. With several months to go before the UFC begins officially assembling the fight card, it remains to be seen how negotiations between McGregor, the UFC, and the US government will unfold.