Should Makhachev Be On UFC White House Card?
UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev has revealed that his coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is against him fighting on the UFC White House card on June 14, 2026, saying there will be too many distractions.
Makhachev called for a fight on the card after beating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last month to become the UFC Welterweight Champion and thus a two-division champion. President Donald Trump revealed there is expected to be 8-9 title fights on the card, making it the biggest event in the UFC’s history. Several names such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have called for a slot on the card.
Makhachev, who is the current number one P4P fighter, would fit the bill. Islam revealed, however, that Khabib disapproved due to the possibility of distractions. Given the event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, there will be added media obligations. Makhachev stated that the card is unlikely to allow the 100 percent focus he maintained during his training camp for the Della Maddalena fight in Australia.
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“Honestly, we have not. Sometimes, Khabib says he would not really want me to fight in Abu Dhabi either, because there are a lot of distractions there. Maybe the same goes for the White House. It is the first tournament, and we do not know how everything will go. But we are already at a level where we have to simulate everything in advance, like my fight in Australia,” Makhachev said
The Reality
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The concern about “distractions” overlooks the value of fighting on a huge card. For a fighter who has just become a two-division champion and the pound-for-pound (P4P) number one, these kinds of opportunities are legacy-defining moments. If Makhachev were to headline or co-main event a card celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, his fight would be broadcast to a far larger audience than a standard pay-per-view.
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It will also show his ability to perform under pressure and manage a chaotic environment. Fighters like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones consistently have intense promotions. Makhachev has already fought in challenging environments, such as defending his title in Australia. A White House card, while unique, is just another step up. If Makhachev waits for a “perfect” fight scenario, he allows time for other fighters (like those also campaigning for the White House card) to steal the spotlight and potentially diminish the perceived significance of his next defense.
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