Discussion: There Aren't Many Main Event Options For a UFC PPV at the White House Show

[Siver!]

Assuming an American has to headline any UFC PPV at the White House, we're basically down to the following:

- Kayla Harrison defending in a showcase against someone like Norma Dumon/Pennington
- Joshua Van challenging Pantoja for the Flyweight title
- Sean Brady challenging Jack Della for the Welterweight title

It's pretty easy to see why Dana was so high on Sean O'Malley winning the belt back despite Merab being a nightmare for him, and for Jon Jones to sort his shit out which has since proven impossible for the former champion.

Sean Strickland and Tatiana Suarez are the next highest ranked Americans and both have just lost title shots.

There's still the potential for a great card, but American superstars are kinda struggling right now...

Max Holloway is probably the most marketable option, but they either put him in their with Ilia again, or he's defending his (ugh...) BMF belt.

What do you think they could/should do in this situation?

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Sounds retarded if fans only want an American headlining a main event. But what the hell do I know?

 

[Egészségére!]

They’ll probably do Max v Gaethje II bmf

 

[Aurelian]

I don't think it particularly has to be a title fight.

Kamaru Usman, Max Holloway, Sean O'Malley, and Justin Gaethje all seem like viable candidates.

 

[VinceArch]

Is that the gimmick, that it has to be headlined by an American?

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

It's a year away, still a lot of time for the landscape to change.

Gaethje vs Max II is one that'll still probably be doable at that point.

Is that the gimmick, that it has to be headlined by an American?

It's been the general assumption, but I don't think it's set in stone by any means.
For all we know, Poatan could be headlining.

 

[Fact Checker]

Daner is clearly playing the cat and mouse game with Jones. We all know the GOAT Armeican fighter is headlining that card.

Jones vs Poatan or Jones vs Aspinall would be the biggest fights the UFC can possibly make rn.

 

[Siver!]

Is that the gimmick, that it has to be headlined by an American?

America is usually immune to the 'must be headlined by a native' treatment that virtually every other country gets lumped with, but given that the show is a once-in-a-lifetime/generation show at the White House itself, I'd say it's very likely - certainly it's the ideal, even if they have to go with two foreigners in the end.

Pereira/Aspinall would be the best option if they simply had to go that route.

 

[VinceArch]

America is usually immune to the 'must be headlined by a native' treatment that virtually every other country gets lumped with, but given that the show is a once-in-a-lifetime/generation show at the White House itself, I'd say it's very likely - certainly it's the ideal, even if they have to go with two foreigners in the end.

Pereira/Aspinall would be the best option if they simply had to go that route.

If that's the case, might as well make a super fight of some sort. Definitely gives weight to your claim.

 

[Shane-O-Mac]

the gimmick is that it's at the White House

doesn't matter who is fighting

 

[Aurelian]

If they just filled the card with fights like Jiri vs Rountree that would be great.

 

[FreedomCricket]

It's an event to showcase the UFC, not a fighter or American fighters from the UFC.

So if it's the greatest fight card ever produced by the UFC its going to have lots of immigrants on work visas showcased.

 

[Siver!]

It's an event to showcase the UFC, not a fighter or American fighters from the UFC.

So if it's the greatest fight card ever produced by the UFC its going to have lots of immigrants on work visas showcased.

I think the chances of it being the "greatest fight card ever produced" are less likely than a Fight Night, to be honest lol

That's why I'm thinking we get something in between largely focusing on a fair bit of flaggery.

 

[Poirierfan]

Make sure Max is on that card, that's all I know.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Good

 

[Dionysian]

the gimmick is that it's at the White House

doesn't matter who is fighting

This most likely. Who cares the nationality... make the best/biggest fights possible.

 

[volcom5]

Jon Jones would be the best bet as a American headlining, You know, it’s actually better having fighters from foreign countries who reside in America being on the card, it’s literally epitome of the American Dream that hard work leads to success and a better life.
Fighters like a Merabs & Usmans are food examples of that and would be great on the card.

 

[JBJ was here]

My expectation is that in the not particularly likely event that this White House card ever starts to come together there will be three or more main-event worthy fights on the card including either Jones/Poatan or Jones/Ngannou. Jones will tentatively headline because the other American options are pretty weak, but it will be in a fight that won't be a huge deal to cancel even at the last minute (i.e., not a title fight). If Trump requests a specific non-Jones headliner then Dana will breathe a sigh of relief and forget about Jones.