Trump and McGregor Talk UFC, Legacy, and Leadership at White House Event

President Donald Trump is making a lot of decisions in his second term in the White House. While not a political decision, one of those that hit the headlines a few weeks ago, and is still making rounds in the news, is a plan to host a UFC event at the White House premises. While only an idea, what POTUS suggested was widely accepted by MAGA voters and fans of MMA.

The idea came as part of the plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Trump is well known as a fan of MMA, and it was not rare to see him at UFC and boxing events in the past. He is also a close friend of the head officer of UFC, Dana White. In recent months, it became evident that Donald is also a fan of none other than Conor 'The Notorious' McGregor. The Irishman, who is not shy of admitting that he is eyeing a political career in Ireland, was also a guest at the White House a few months ago.

McGregor's Political Aspirations Come Into Focus

While not confirmed, it is possible that the idea to have a UFC event at the White House was coined while the Irishman was paying a visit to the Oval Office. 'The Notorious' has been in the spotlight during the months in which his MMA career was put on hold, with questions over his career still looming. It remains unclear whether he's retired or not, with his last fight being the unfortunate loss via leg break to Dustin Poirier.

What is clear is that Conor McGregor, despite all of his controversies, is planning to run for office in his homeland of Ireland. The 17th of March visit to the White House is a testimony to his ambitions, as Donald Trump had him receive as if he were an official representative of his country, even calling him his favourite Irishman in the process. The encounter had a strong message to send as it happened on St Patrick's Day, and many saw it as a statement and a power move — a calculation on both men's parts.

While many fans and voters saw this meeting as showmanship from both men, the agenda was more serious than that. Trump and McGregor discussed the government of Ireland, the economy, and immigration, showing in the process Conor's nationalistic side and ambitions to be a part of the country's political future. Of course, the meeting was not without controversy. Many people have been left wondering just how McGregor managed to get a White House audience, and what the end goal of such an honour was.

From Press Conferences to Politics: McGregor's White House Access

Not only did McGregor get to meet the president, he also held a press conference at the White House and attended Pentagon briefings. It would appear that the Irishman is enjoying more than good connections in the Oval Office with people close to the POTUS. The meeting was not a one-off, as it was planned in advance through a string of Republican donors and political insiders close to McGregor. It is no secret that Conor is a Trump supporter, which is not a fact he has hidden during Trump's latest run to power.

For McGregor, the meeting was a prelude to what's to be expected from him when he kicks off his political career, with Irish immigration being at the centre of his plans. 'The Notorious' was quoted as saying that the meeting with Trump was 'the most important of my country's future.' He is hoping that the influence Trump has can do wonders for the domestic policies of Ireland. The focus of the meeting was on Ireland's economy, with McGregor being critical of how that aspect was handled by the Irish government, which he finds not accountable enough, further fuelling his desire to run for presidency in the foreseeable future.

Conor McGregor was confident in his statements, and while his words resound positively with some fellow Irishmen, the country's officials were quick to distance themselves from anything he said while visiting the White House. While both men are deemed as controversial by many outlets, the words they exchanged were only ones of praise. McGregor, who was in the Oval Office accompanied by his wife and four children, praised Donald Trump for his work ethic and labelled him as inspiring. In return, POTUS said that the work ethic that led Conor McGregor to the top is to be praised and described the Irishman as fantastic.

The two men are undoubtedly leaders in their respective fields of work, and while Trump has been a member of the MMA community for some time now, this was the first time that McGregor was open about his political aspirations. The Irishman obviously has a lot of pull in higher-level US politics as he managed to be the lone guest from Ireland during the St Patrick's Day celebrations. While the authorities in Ireland have secluded themselves from everything Conor said during his time in the White House, there is no doubt that he remains appealing to the far right in Ireland, and that his words on immigration and the economy resound with part of the voting body in Ireland.

Back in March, politics were the main subject of conversations between Trump and McGregor, but now things have taken a turn to the entertainment domain. Right now, it is a swamp better navigated by the Irishman, and yet it was Trump who put the world in a frenzy when announcing that there is a possibility of the White House hosting a UFC event. While POTUS is known for making big promises, he has also become very adept at fulfilling them. With the celebrations of the country's 250th anniversary coming fast next year, it would not be a surprise to see one of the best UFC events transpiring before the White House.

UFC Fighters Line Up for a Shot at History

For one, Dana White has been eager to hold a UFC event out in the open in the US for some time now. The logistics of such an event would be out of this world, but it would also be an opportunity for the biggest PPV event UFC has ever brought forth. White is one to pull it off, and if he has governmental support, the event that Trump already labelled as 'Patriotic Games' would probably be the biggest one in the last couple of decades.

What is sure as of now, is that there wouldn't be a shortage of fighters willing to be a part of history. In a recent interview with stake.com Max Holloway expressed the following: 'This sport is crazy. We just got to wait and see. If I had the choice, I mean, why not? I think that would be huge. So why not do that? That would be a one-time opportunity. I think that would be the only time you ever see that happen. So to be a part of history would be amazing.' If you want to hear more on what 'Blessed' had to say about the White House UFC event, his career, and future plans, access the full interview with Max Holloway.

As you could have guessed, Holloway was not the only one eager to fight at the White House. If this event were to happen, it would bring the best current, former, and aspiring MMA fighters. For one, McGregor was quick to state his opinion on X. He said that it would be an honour to end his hiatus from the UFC with a fight in front of the Oval Office. 'Count me in' was what 'The Notorious' one wrote on Twitter. The Irishman even suggested that he could finally fight Michael Chandler in a fight that was long touted but never came to fruition. It was as if Chandler was waiting for such an opportunity as he was quick to call out the Irishman, in anticipation for the fight to be scheduled as a part of the main event of the Patriotic Games.

It was interesting to see that Jon Jones re entered the USADA testing poll only mere weeks after retiring which was one of the signs that he wanted to be in discussion for a potential White House UFC PPV event. Just like McGregor he came out publicly on Twitter claiming that he would be interested in such an event. While Jones would be a top draw it remains to be seen whether Dana White would be willing to accept him back after he only just recently retired after months of avoiding a potential title fight against Tom Aspinall, which did not bode well with the UFC chairman.

Another fighter who is eager to be a part of history at the White House event is Nate Landwehr. For him, the Patriotic Games would be a chance to reignite the Cold War semantics, as he stated that he only wants to fight a Russian fighter if the event is scheduled. While it remains a secret what type of scheduling is planned for this event, which is not yet in the making, it is known that if it comes to it, the event will transpire on the south lawn of the White House with the Washington monument in the back, making a stage for one unforgettable event.

Since the announcement made by Donald Trump, even people outside of UFC have expressed their desire to be a part of the event. Former kickboxer and controversial businessman Andrew Tate is also one of the people who would be willing to exit his retirement for a chance to talk in front of the White House with Donald Trump in attendance. While Tate is a long shot to receive this honour as his fighting days are long gone, plenty of current UFC names could be featured at this event.

In addition to Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, Max Holloway and Jon Jones, Derrick Lewis, Justin Gaethje, recently retired Dustin Poirier, and Sean O'Malley. Having a UFC event at the White House with any of these fighters would be a top MMA happening. Trump was most recently present at the UFC 314 in Miami, where he had talks with some of the fighters, further fuelling the stories that he had already planned this event for some time now. If he and Dana White go forward with White House UFC PPV event, the best place to look for odds would be at stake.com.

The fans have already been all over this event, looking for the best duels that would bode well with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. The most touted matchups are the ones between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall for the heavyweight title in a duel that's seen as USA vs. Great Britain as back in the days when the independence was gained.

While it is not likely to see these two ever square off, for many fans the focus remains on the potential 'Cold War' scenario where we would see some of the homegrown fighters such as Sean Brady, Joaquin Buckley, or Colby Covington face off against fighters from the Eastern Bloc or former Soviet Union — such as Shavkat Rakhmonov, Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili, or Arman Tsarukyan.

Anticipation Builds for a Potentially Historic UFC Event

With almost a full year to go until this event, which has not yet been made official, we are sure plenty more fighters will be put into the mix and left out of it. With the prestigious background and historic pedigree the White House UFC PPV event is going to have, Dana White is under a lot of pressure to meet the expectations of MMA fans, but also those of the top brass in the Oval Office. At the end of the day, Donald Trump is not only POTUS but an MMA fan first and foremost. Thus, Dana has some massive appetites to satisfy with this event.

Originally published on IBTimes UK

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Donald trump, Conor McGregor