Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev might find themselves sidelined from the highly anticipated UFC event at the White House due to a surprising regulation.
As one of the most significant sports gatherings of 2026 approaches, scheduled for June 14, the excitement is palpable. The UFC’s national celebration on the White House lawn promises to showcase some of the sport's most prominent figures. Since President Donald Trump made the announcement about this landmark UFC event, numerous fighters have expressed their eagerness to participate, vying for a coveted spot in what is expected to be an unforgettable lineup.
Among those keen to return is MMA superstar Conor McGregor, who is looking to make a comeback after a five-year hiatus. Additionally, Jon Jones has shown interest in rejoining the ring, reversing his retirement decision upon learning about this special card. With several title bouts projected for the event, two of the sport's most formidable champions may unfortunately be excluded from the festivities—not because of their performance, but due to external circumstances.
Merab Dvalishvili, a former bantamweight champion, has recently shed some light on a potential issue: there appears to be a ban on Russian fighters participating in the UFC White House event. Dvalishvili revealed that he plans to face Petr Yan, the fighter who unexpectedly took his title in December. However, he also shared that the UFC has confirmed this match will not take place at the White House due to Yan's nationality. "The UFC told me I’m next for the belt. They said there would be a trilogy between me and Yan," Dvalishvili mentioned during an interview with MMA Pros Pick. He further explained, "They also told me that our fight will not happen at the White House in June because (Yan) is Russian, and that’s impossible."
If this rule holds true, it could pose significant challenges for Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev, both of whom are champions hailing from regions within Russia—Dagestan and Chechnya, respectively.
Dana White, the UFC president, had previously downplayed the idea that nationality would influence the selection of fighters for the UFC White House card. In a statement last November, he seemed to pave the way for Makhachev and others, asserting, "It’s not America vs the world. It’s about what’s the best card we can build." Many fans would contend that including either Makhachev or Chimaev would enhance the quality of the card, yet their roots may inadvertently disqualify them from this prestigious event.
Join the conversation! What are your thoughts on this potential exclusion? Do you believe nationality should dictate participation in such high-profile events? Share your views in the comments below!
