Plans for a historic UFC event at the White House, orchestrated by Donald Trump and UFC chief Dana White, have been met with a furious backlash from a current star who compared the spectacle to the 'f***ing Hunger Games'.
Fighter's Furious Backlash Against 'Billionaires' Event'
American UFC flyweight Brandon Royval did not hold back in a recent podcast appearance, launching an expletive-filled tirade against the proposed fight night. Royval explicitly stated he has no interest in fighting at the White House, declaring, 'I don't give a s*** about fighting at the f***ing White House. I wanna fight in front of big crowds.'
He went on to express deep disdain for the political nature of the event, saying, 'I don't give a f*** about any of our political figures right now, and to fight in front of them seems like some f***ing Hunger Games type of f***ing s***.' Royval emphasised his desire to perform for fans who can relate to him, rather than for billionaires and politicians who, in his view, 'could give a s*** less about me.'
Security Fears and Staggering Ambitions
The controversial event is officially scheduled for June 14th next year, which also coincides with Donald Trump's 80th birthday. The UFC has already released rendered images showing a dramatic setup on the South Lawn, with an octagon placed before the iconic backdrop of the White House, illuminated in red, white, and blue lights. The event is planned to have around 5,000 seats available.
However, Royval revealed another layer of concern, citing potential involvement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Referring to his Mexican heritage, he stated, 'I'm too Mexican-looking. ICE is suspiciously arresting motherf***ers... Who knows, next thing you know, I'm in Mexico and I don't speak Spanish.' His fears are not entirely unfounded, given that ICE agents are confirmed to be patrolling the upcoming Super Bowl in San Francisco.
Despite the criticism, the event has its powerful backers. UFC President Dana White, a close friend of Trump, has championed the plans, promising the 'biggest and baddest card of all time'. The UFC has even committed to spending $700,000 to replace the South Lawn grass after the event concludes.
Superstar Interest and Historic Precedents
While Royval voices his opposition, other marquee names in the UFC are desperate to be involved. Stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have made impassioned pleas to be featured on the historic card.
McGregor has since made a staggering claim, announcing on social media that he has been offered a $100 million fee plus 100 'gold card visas' for family and friends to entice him to end his retirement and fight at the White House. He described the potential bout as part of a 'spectacle for the ages'.
The relationship between Trump and the UFC is long-standing, dating back to 2000 when the Trump Taj Mahal was one of the few venues willing to host the promotion. Trump has been a regular at UFC events since, recently attending one in New Jersey in June and being pictured at New York's Madison Square Garden last November with Elon Musk, Kid Rock, and other notable figures.
As the June date approaches, the divide between the event's enthusiastic supporters and its vocal detractors like Brandon Royval highlights the deeply political and controversial nature of bringing a combat sports spectacle to the heart of American political power.
